Why Are Argentina And CAF Standing By Gianni Infantino As Europe Withdraws Support?

On Saturday, the Argentine Football Association publicly backed Gianni Infantino, days after CAF's 54 member associations did the same. The endorsement came as FIFA investigates the AFA, two Argentina players, and a team official over incidents surrounding the World Cup.

Infantino is chasing a fourth term at FIFA's 77th Congress, set for March 18, 2027, in Rabat. His plan to sell outside investors a stake in the World Cup backfired weeks ago. triggering the resignation of senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro.

Why Has Argentina Chosen To Back Infantino Now?

In Argentina's statement issued on thursday, the AFA thanked Infantino for the ten years of running FIFA in what it described as a clear, stable, and transparent governance model. The federation said its backing is in recognition of the work Infantino has put into growing the sport since 2016.

“On behalf of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and its Executive Committee, we express our support for the management carried out during the last 10 years, which had as its main focuses the development of football throughout the world and institutional strength based on a clear, stable and transparent governance model,” the AFA said.

Mexico's federation followed a similar script hours later, backing Infantino's push to keep developing the game across all 211 member associations. Both statements came just days after FIFA scrapped its FIFA Forward Enterprise plan.

The proposal would have sold roughly a 20% stake in a new commercial entity overseeing competitions such as the World Cup to outside investors in a deal worth about €3.9 billion.

Argentina’s decision to support FIFA President Gianni Infantino came shortly after CONMEBOL expressed concern about FIFA making significant decisions without adequate consultation with its member associations.

The Argentine Football Association issued its endorsement independently, without waiting for a collective position from other South American federations.

CAF Is Reaffirming Supports For Infantino Despite Growing Criticism

CAF moved first. The confederation's executive committee met on thursday and unanimously backed Gianni Infantino, with president Patrice Motsepe thanking him for his support of African football. CAF's 54 member associations make it FIFA's largest regional voting bloc.

“We are committed to continue working together with Fifa, its member associations, other football confederations and stakeholders to safeguard and adhere to governance, due process, and transparency global best practises and to contribute to the development and growth of football worldwide.”

The confederation has backed Infantino since his election in 2016. Morocco's federation chief, Fouzi Lekjaa, also a CAF vice-president, had already described the retreat from the investment plan as a wise decision days before CAF issued its formal statement.

Who Is Withdrawing Support Before The March Vote?

England's FA confirmed this week that it has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino's bid for a fourth term, revoking the letter of endorsement it signed months earlier. Wales was the first federation to withdraw its backing.

Finland, Serbia, Croatia and Albania have followed suit. Sweden, one of the few associations that never endorsed Infantino in the first place, has confirmed it will vote against him. Denmark and Norway have taken an even firmer stance.

Norway's federation president publicly called for Gianni Infantino to resign this week, while UEFA has maintained its boycott threat despite FIFA withdrawing its investment plan and apologising to member associations.

UEFA says its conditions for ending the boycott, including abandoning the proposal and ensuring it cannot be revived, have yet to be fully met.

Which Countries Are Still Supporting Gianni Infantino?

Argentina and Mexico are among the biggest names to back Gianni Infantino this week, joining a growing list of national associations that have publicly endorsed his bid for a fourth term.

Qatar and the UAE were among the first Gulf federations to declare their support as the crisis unfolded.

Kuwait, Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Bhutan followed with their own statements of continued support. Morocco, which will host next year's FIFA Congress, and Egypt both publicly backed Gianni Infantino over the past week.

CAF also confirmed unanimous backing from its 54 member associations, giving Infantino the support of FIFA's largest regional voting bloc ahead of any potential no-confidence vote. Saudi Arabia has yet to confirm its position.

According to reports this week, several Asian football associations are delaying their own announcements until the Saudi federation makes its position public.