According to a report from GiveMeSport, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has garnered significant public support from the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) and the Argentinian Football Association, following a period of international criticism and FIFA’s own robust reaffirmation of his leadership. This wave of backing comes as Infantino navigates a landscape where many national federations have voiced a desire for his replacement, despite the scrapping of controversial plans to sell stakes in FIFA’s major cup competitions to private investors.

Infantino had faced considerable scrutiny over his proposals to commercialize parts of FIFA’s flagship tournaments. While these plans were ultimately abandoned, the initial controversy sparked widespread discontent, leading numerous nations to withdraw their support and call for a change in FIFA’s top office. The global football governing body, however, has responded firmly to this dissent.

FIFA reaffirms internal unity

Amidst the growing external opposition, FIFA issued a statement reaffirming its full confidence in President Infantino. This declaration of solidarity extended to the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA Management Board, who collectively expressed their unwavering support. In a reciprocal move, Infantino also reiterated his full backing for the Secretary General and the entire FIFA Administration, acknowledging their work in delivering his vision. The statement from FIFA underscored this mutual commitment:

“The FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA Management Board in attendance reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as the only official elected by the 211 FIFA Member Associations. In turn, the FIFA President reiterated his full support for the FIFA Secretary General and the FIFA Administration for their necessary and outstanding work in the delivery of his vision.”

Read also: Football's financial elite: who earns the most in 2026?

The global governing body also highlighted the successful delivery of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ as a testament to its operational effectiveness and leadership. Furthermore, FIFA warned that it would “no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process,” vowing to “take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation.”

Key federations pledge support

Shortly after FIFA’s internal show of strength, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) publicly announced its support for Infantino. The FMF released a statement backing FIFA’s calls for unity and reaffirming its position. The federation explicitly endorsed an appeal issued by President Infantino on 5 August 2026, urging continued collaboration for the development of football. The FMF’s statement emphasized their commitment to institutional integrity:

“The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) is convinced that football is the fundamental value and that its best protection lies in institutional integrity and respect for the governance and processes that safeguard it. Therefore, the FMF will neither recognise nor approve any process that is carried out outside of that institutional framework. It supports the appeal issued on 5 August 2026 by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to continue working together to develop football for the benefit of FIFA’s 211 member associations.”

This significant endorsement was swiftly followed by a similar declaration from the Argentinian Football Association, which also threw its support behind Infantino, further solidifying the FIFA President’s position among influential footballing nations in the Americas. These public affirmations signal a potential shift in the narrative surrounding Infantino’s leadership, even as broader international opposition persists.

Read also: The monumental challenge: F1 drivers test Madrid's new banked corner

Read also: Lionel Messi's record is so ridiculous it makes Cristiano Ronaldo look ordinary