Norway Calls on Infantino to Resign, but Two Countries Back FIFA President

The controversy surrounding Gianni Infantino’s leadership of FIFA has been building for months. Norway’s call for Infantino to resign is the latest salvo in a long and bruising battle for control of world football’s governing body.

At the heart of the issue is a fundamental question: can Infantino be trusted to put the interests of the game above his own? Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, has accused Infantino of lacking institutional trust required to govern FIFA effectively. This concern reflects a deep-seated perception that Infantino’s actions have undermined faith in his leadership.

Infantino still enjoys significant support within the football community. Mexico and Argentina have spoken out in his favor, while Conmebol has warned against attempts to remove him without a vote from all 211 member associations. However, these endorsements highlight the problem: Infantino’s presidency is increasingly seen as a popularity contest rather than a genuine effort to improve the game.

The implications of this are far-reaching. If Infantino loses support – and it seems that’s now a very real possibility – who will take his place? The process for electing a new president is complex, but one thing is clear: Infantino would struggle to secure re-election without significant backing from European football’s governing body, UEFA.

The FFE controversy has created an opportunity for UEFA to reassess its relationship with FIFA. However, it remains unclear whether they will seize this chance. While Uefa says it has lost confidence in Infantino, Concacaf has stopped short of saying the same.

The question now is what happens next. Will UEFA find a candidate to stand against Infantino, or will they allow him to coast to re-election? The election process itself is due to take place in March 2024 – plenty of time for alliances to be forged and counter-attacks launched.

Infantino’s tenure has been marked by controversy from the start. His decision to award the 2026 World Cup hosting rights to North America was seen as a thinly veiled attempt to secure favor with Trump, and his subsequent apology only highlighted the perceived conflict of interest. The FFE proposal itself was widely condemned as opaque and backroom dealing – a far cry from the stable, transparent governance model that FIFA claims to uphold.

It’s no wonder, then, that UEFA has lost confidence in Infantino. Their criticisms are not without merit – after all, who can trust a leader who seems willing to do whatever it takes to cling to power?

As FIFA grapples with its internal struggles, the wider football community is watching with growing concern. The answer to whether UEFA will find a way to unseat Infantino or if he will coast to re-election could have far-reaching implications for the future of the game.

The days of Infantino’s presidency are numbered – and it’s only a matter of time before FIFA must come to terms with what this means for its leadership.