World football's divide has deepened with Argentina and Mexico joining Africa in backing FIFA President Gianni Infantino, following Africa's unanimous support for the football governing body leader. This development comes amid ongoing backlash against Infantino over a now-abandoned proposal to sell commercial rights to the World Cup and other FIFA events.

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF), cohosts of the recently concluded 2026 World Cup, broke ranks with their regional confederation CONCACAF by supporting Infantino after CONCACAF called for a "comprehensive reckoning" with his presidency. The FMF stated, "The FMF will neither recognise nor approve any process convened outside of that institutional framework, and it joins the call made … by President Infantino to collectively continue developing football for the benefit of the 211 member associations."

CAF President Patrice Motsepe, a longtime ally of Infantino, helped secure the backing of the entire African membership, bolstering Infantino's position ahead of his bid for a fourth presidential term.

Meanwhile, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa criticized FIFA's lack of consultation regarding the plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, calling it "totally unacceptable" and stating it undermined the sport's existing continental structure.

This alignment of support from Argentina, Mexico, and Africa contrasts with calls from other regions, including Norway, for Infantino's resignation, highlighting the growing divisions within global football governance.

Sources