Gianni Infantino’s future at FIFA in doubt after private investment plan backfires

The past 24 hours have been tumultuous for Fifa and its president, Gianni Infantino. After attempting to sell stakes in Fifa competitions to private investment firms without informing others, Infantino's position now appears to be at risk. Uefa, Infantino's most vocal critic, has threatened to boycott all Fifa events, including the World Cup, presenting a significant opportunity to oust him.

In addition to Uefa, Concacaf and several member associations of the Asian Football Confederation have also called for a full review of Fifa's leadership following Infantino's controversial plan.

The Swiss president has been abandoned by two of his closest allies - senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro and chief operating officer Kevin Lamour. In response to the pressure, Infantino backtracked on Saturday morning, but Uefa reaffirmed its loss of confidence in him.

Infantino's position may be precarious, with several paths to his potential exit. One option would be for him to resign voluntarily, similar to Sepp Blatter's departure in 2015. However, Infantino still holds support and may attempt to cling to power until his March re-election for a fourth term. Alternatively, the Fifa Council could force his resignation through an emergency meeting if 19 of its 37 members call for one.

The election to replace Infantino would take place if 43 associations request an extraordinary congress, a process that could take two to three months.

To win the election, a unifying leader from Concacaf, Africa, or Asia would be ideal. Potential candidates include Victor Montagliani, the president of Concacaf, and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the president of AFC. While Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, a Qatari, may seem like a strong challenger, it appears he is not interested in the role. Infantino's continued support from Qatar could complicate matters further.