Mexico and Argentina have publicly thrown their support behind FIFA president Gianni Infantino, aligning themselves with African nations as the embattled leader faces calls for his resignation. The endorsements were reported on Thursday, though no timeline was given for any formal vote on his future.
Mexico’s decision is notable because it breaks ranks with Concacaf, the regional governing body to which it belongs, which has not taken a similar stance. This makes Mexico the first member of that confederation to openly back Infantino, according to Yahoo Sports.
Al Jazeera reports that the two Latin American nations now join Africa in the Infantino camp, while Norway has emerged as a vocal opponent demanding his resignation. The reports describe Infantino as “under-fire” but do not specify the reasons behind the pressure or the context of the dispute.
The support from Argentina and Mexico, both influential football nations, is seen as a boost for Infantino as questions about his leadership persist. The exact scope of opposition or support within FIFA’s 211 member associations remains unclear. No further details about the controversy or any upcoming meetings have been disclosed.
The situation highlights a divide within global football governance, with some members rallying behind the president while others, including Norway, push for change.