# FIFA leadership and governance crisis

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fifa-leadership-and-governance-crisis
> Updated: 2026-08-13T07:53:26.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 2.

Pressure is mounting against FIFA President Gianni Infantino following controversies regarding proposals to sell World Cup shares to private investors. Major football organizations, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC, have expressed a loss of confidence in his leadership, leading some national federations, such as the Football Association of Ireland, to withdraw support.

In response to the crisis, CAF President Patrice Motsepe has called for the matter to be settled through official democratic processes and the scheduled March 2027 elections in Morocco. Motsepe emphasized that any challenges to leadership should follow established FIFA protocols, noting that while the CAF has officially supported Infantino, the political battle for control among the 211 member associations is expected to intensify leading up to the vote in Rabat.

Simultaneously, senior officials from UEFA, CAF, and the European Club Association have met in Salzburg to discuss governance reforms. These discussions include potential moves by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin to initiate a vote of no confidence if Infantino does not resign. Proposed structural reforms include establishing a continental rotation system for the presidency, creating an independent administrative body, and implementing independent reviews of decision-making processes. Potential successors to the presidency are currently being discussed.

## Claims

- Patrice Motsepe stated that Gianni Infantino's future should be decided through the FIFA election process. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC have expressed a loss of confidence in Gianni Infantino. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Football Association of Ireland has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- FIFA elections are scheduled to take place in March 2027. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Controversy arose regarding Infantino's plan to sell World Cup shares to private investors. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-13: UEFA leaders meet to discuss FIFA leadership and governance reforms

UEFA and other football leaders met in Salzburg to discuss reforming FIFA governance and potentially replacing President Gianni Infantino through a rotation system or a vote of no confidence.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uefa-leaders-meet-to-discuss-fifa-leadership-and-governance-reforms

### 2026-08-12: Patrice Motsepe urges FIFA elections to decide Gianni Infantino's future

CAF President Patrice Motsepe urges that FIFA President Gianni Infantino's future be decided via the 2027 elections, amid growing opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC over governance and private investment.

24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fiorentina-pursues-franco-mastantuono-as-lucas-chevalier-nears-psg-exit

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Cite as: FIFA leadership and governance crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fifa-leadership-and-governance-crisis