On Monday, August 10, 2026, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) issued a joint statement expressing concerns over the governance of FIFA under President Gianni Infantino. The statement, which was reported by multiple news outlets, marks a rare show of unity among three major confederations.
The confederations criticized what they described as a lack of transparency and inclusivity in FIFA's decision-making processes. They specifically pointed to recent decisions made without adequate consultation with member associations. While the statement did not detail specific incidents, it called for a more collaborative approach to governing world football.
This is not the first time Infantino has faced criticism. In 2023, European football's governing body UEFA expressed concerns over FIFA's plans to expand the World Cup and the Club World Cup. However, this joint statement from UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC represents a broader coalition of opposition, as these confederations represent a significant majority of FIFA's member associations.
FIFA has not yet publicly responded to the statement. The confederations have not indicated any immediate action, but the statement signals growing tension within the sport's global governing body ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June and July 2026.
