Qatar, Morocco among six Arab federations backing FIFA’s Infantino

Six heads of Arab national football associations, comprising Qatar and Morocco, the co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup, have rallied behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to a joint statement released on Thursday. This comes amid a crisis within FIFA, triggered by the collapse of a private investment plan proposed by Infantino.

The Swiss administrator, currently vying for re-election next year, faced an open revolt from three confederations – UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF – who demanded his resignation over his aborted bid to introduce private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. Infantino had suggested partitioning the commercial rights of the World Cup and selling 20% to private investors to generate approximately $4.2 billion.

The statement, signed by the heads of the national federations of Qatar, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan, Egypt, and Mauritania, underscores the significant role of Arab football in fostering unity and enhancing collaboration among football associations across the Arab world. They reaffirm their confidence in Infantino's leadership and steadfast dedication to global football development.

Four of the six signatories are also FIFA Council members. The federations appreciate Infantino’s persistent efforts to expand football opportunities globally, foster inclusivity, and elevate the sport’s role in uniting people and communities. They look forward to maintaining close cooperation with him towards a stronger and more prosperous future for world football, aiming to broaden opportunities and further elevate Arab football’s contribution to the global game.

Despite opposition from the three confederations, which represent 136 of FIFA’s 211 member associations set to vote in the presidential election in March, Infantino still possesses a strong support base within the sport.