Mexico backs Infantino in blow to Uefa-led push to unseat Fifa president

Mexico has broken with its regional confederation to declare public support for Gianni Infantino, dealing a significant setback to the Uefa-led coalition attempting to force the Fifa president from office. The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) said it would not recognise any process convened outside established governance structures, effectively rejecting the push for a vote of no confidence.

The move fractures the united front presented by Uefa, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf, which together control 136 of Fifa's 211 votes, enough to block Infantino from securing a third full term at next year's presidential election. With Qatar and Kuwait also seen as reluctant to oppose the incumbent, the arithmetic has shifted in Infantino's favour.

Why the rebellion started

Infantino convened an emergency meeting in Morocco this week after details emerged of his attempt to privatise the commercial rights to the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments. The plan would have given private investors, among them members of the extended Trump family, a stake in a new company controlling broadcasting and sponsorship revenue. Fifa subsequently apologised for withholding the proposal from its Council and member associations, but Infantino made clear he intends to remain in post.

Confederation lines harden

The African confederation CAF has unanimously reaffirmed its backing for Infantino, citing his record on African football development. South America's Conmebol and Oceania are also understood to support him. That bloc, now reinforced by Mexico and at least two Asian nations, gives Infantino a credible path to survival even if Europe, Asia and Concacaf vote as blocs against him.

The FMF supports the leadership of President Infantino to continue driving the development of football through institutional strengthening.

The FMF statement emphasised "institutionality and respect for governance" and explicitly embraced Infantino's August call for collective development across all 211 member associations. The language mirrors Infantino's own framing of the crisis as a defence of proper process against external pressure.

What happens next

Uefa and its allies must now decide whether to press ahead with a formal no-confidence motion or field a rival candidate for the 2026 election. Either route requires a simple majority of member associations. With the vote split fluid and several federations yet to declare publicly, the next few weeks will determine whether the rebellion regains momentum or stalls. Infantino, meanwhile, has bought himself time to consolidate support ahead of the presidential contest.