Gianni Infantino has received support from a number of member associations as the FIFA President continues to face questions about his future after withdrawing a controversial plan to sell shares of the World Cup to private investors. Three confederations, Concacaf, UEFA and Asian Football Confederation, put out a letter on Monday, Aug. 10, that said FIFA leadership had broken trust "broken "through deception," and said that "when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned." But a handful of members of those confederations put out statements later n the week reiterating their support for Infantino. Qatar and Lebanon, members of the AFC, joined fellow Arab countries based in Africa in a statement that said the eight nations, “look forward to continuing our close cooperation with him towards a stronger and more prosperous future for world football, expanding opportunities and further enhancing Arab football’s contribution to the global game.” Qatar FA president Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani also wrote a letter to the AFC president expressing frustration with the letter, saying "neither the QFA, nor I personally … was consulted, whether formally or informally, prior to the issuance of the statement. "No advance notice was given, no draft was circulated, and no opportunity was afforded to comment on, or contribute to, its content before it was released publicly in AFC's name and on behalf of AFC's members." Infantino has a close relationship with Qatar, which hosted the 2022 Men's World Cup. He has utilized a jet provided by Qatar and flew to Doha during the 2026 Men's World Cup to express condolences after the death of former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The embattled FIFA president also found support in the Caribbean, where the FAs in Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis put out similarly worded statements welcoming the decision to withdraw the private investment proposal but supporting Infantino's leadership and vision. The Mexican federation has not made a statement since one supporting Infantino on Aug. 6 and was absent from a joint statement by U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer and allies in the Caribbean and Central America that reiterated Concacaf's position outlined in the letter sent with UEFA and AFC. The Oceania Football Confederation did not sign the letter and said in an Aug. 14 statement that "The OFC Executive Committee welcomes Fifa’s decision to withdraw the FFE proposal and its commitment to review the issues surrounding the project. “The OFC recognises the progress achieved over the last decade in advancing football development in Oceania under Fifa’s leadership and encourages Fifa to use the review as an opportunity to identify and implement any changes that may be necessary.” But there appear to be members with differing views in OFC, just like in AFC and Concacaf. The New Zealand federation withdrew its support for Infantino, saying, "After careful consideration, NZF has formed the view that decisions and actions within FIFA have contributed to a breakdown in trust and increased division within international football, and that an independent review is required to restore confidence and trust." However, New Caledonia released a statement backing Infantino, saying he had governed equitably and also highlighting the success experienced as the New Caledonia men's national team traveled to Mexico for a 2026 World Cup playoff match against Jamaica that saw the Oceania member fall, 1-0. While the FIFA president faces calls to resign from some critics, the three confederations' letter stopped short of making that type of call or even naming Infantino. He is up for re-election in March 2027, though currently he is the only candidate running. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Infantino rebuilding his coalition? Some nations vocally backing FIFA president