World football's divide has intensified with Argentina and Mexico declaring support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, following Africa's unanimous backing of the football governing body’s 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, notably broke ranks with their regional confederation CONCACAF by supporting Infantino. CONCACAF had 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 long-time ally of Infantino, secured the backing of the entire African membership, strengthening 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 saying it undermined existing continental structures.

This growing divide highlights tensions within global football governance as FIFA faces scrutiny from various regional bodies and stakeholders.

Sources