UEFA maintains opposition over investment plan

UEFA's initial threat last week was widely credited with forcing the abandonment of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal—a $20 billion commercial subsidiary intended to run flagship events like the World Cup.

While UEFA welcomed the plan's withdrawal, condemning it as a "shabby, backroom, opaque deal," the organization stated on Thursday that while the sale proposals were dropped, adequate assurances have not been given that similar attempts to alter the game will never happen again.

UEFA confirmed that its loss of confidence in Infantino "holds," with several member associations withdrawing support for his re-election bid ahead of next March.

Global football bodies join criticism

Opposition has also mounted across other confederations.

South America's CONMEBOL criticized Infantino's "repeated unilateral actions taken without resorting to dialogue," though it favored a direct contest should a challenger emerge by the November 18 nomination deadline.

Meanwhile, global players' union FIFPRO blasted the initiative as "a profound abuse of presidential power," and CONCACAF called for a comprehensive reckoning with the current leadership.

Prominent Norwegian football chief Lise Klaveness is also slated to hold a press conference on Friday, potentially fueling further speculation about a leadership challenge.

Infantino retains support from key allies

Despite facing heavy European and union backlash, Infantino retains vital backing from 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco and key African stakeholders.

South Africa's sports minister publicly urged African football to resist what he termed a "public lynching" of the FIFA president, as the African Football Confederation (CAF) convened to discuss the crisis.

CONMEBOL lamented that the bitter political fallout has overshadowed the historic success of the recent expanded 48-team World Cup, though its calls to preserve footballing unity appear to have fallen on deaf ears.