Argentina and Mexico join Africa in backing FIFA’s Infantino: What to know

Key Points:

• Argentina and Mexico have declared support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, breaking ranks with their regional confederations and providing a significant boost amid controversy over a withdrawn proposal to sell World Cup commercial rights.
• The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unanimously backed Infantino, strengthening his position with one of football’s largest continental bodies ahead of the upcoming FIFA Congress.
• UEFA remains Infantino’s strongest opponent, maintaining its vote to boycott FIFA, with Norway’s football federation calling for Infantino’s resignation due to a loss of institutional trust.
• The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) expressed solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning FIFA’s lack of consultation on the commercial rights plan, though some AFC members like Indonesia and Qatar support Infantino.
• Several national associations, including Croatia, England, and Albania, have withdrawn support for Infantino, while players’ union FIFPRO criticized the proposal as an abuse of presidential power, highlighting ongoing divisions within world football.