In an unusual display of cross-continental unity, UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF have issued a joint open letter sharply criticising FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The letter, made public on August 9, 2026, escalates a simmering power struggle within world football's governing body.
The three confederations, which together represent more than half of FIFA's member associations, accuse Infantino of concentrating power and disregarding established governance protocols. While the letter does not call for his resignation outright, it demands greater transparency and a return to collective decision-making.
Rare alliance against FIFA leadership
UEFA, led by Aleksander Čeferin, has often clashed with Infantino over issues such as the expanded Club World Cup and the biennial World Cup proposal. The AFC, under Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, and CONCACAF, headed by Victor Montagliani, have generally been more aligned with FIFA. Their decision to join the criticism signals a significant shift in the balance of power.
The letter, addressed to FIFA's council, lists specific grievances: unilateral decision-making, lack of consultation on major reforms, and a perceived erosion of the confederations' role in global football governance. It also references the ongoing investigations into FIFA's commercial dealings, though it stops short of making direct accusations.
Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, has not yet responded publicly. However, sources close to the organisation suggest he views the letter as a coordinated attempt to undermine his authority ahead of the 2026 FIFA Congress, where a vote on governance reforms is expected.
The timing is notable: the letter comes just weeks after FIFA announced a controversial partnership with a Saudi Arabian sports investment fund, a deal that many European clubs and leagues had opposed. That agreement, which some see as a precursor to a Saudi-backed World Cup in 2034, has heightened concerns about FIFA's commercial direction.
For European football, the stakes are high. UEFA has been a vocal advocate for a more decentralised model, with national leagues and clubs retaining greater autonomy. The open letter is likely to resonate with European stakeholders who have grown wary of FIFA's centralising tendencies.
The AFC and CONCACAF's involvement is particularly striking. Both confederations have benefited from FIFA's development programmes, yet they appear willing to risk that relationship. Analysts suggest that smaller federations may be worried about being sidelined in FIFA's decision-making processes, especially as Infantino has increasingly relied on direct bilateral agreements with individual member associations.
This is not the first time Infantino has faced criticism. In 2020, a leaked email suggested he had interfered in a UEFA disciplinary case, and his handling of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar drew widespread scrutiny. However, the current letter marks the first time that multiple confederations have publicly aligned against him.
The coming weeks will be crucial. Infantino's response, and the reaction of FIFA's 211 member associations, will determine whether this open letter becomes a turning point or a footnote. For now, the message from Europe, Asia and North America is clear: the status quo is no longer acceptable.
As the football world watches, the dispute raises broader questions about governance in international sport. With the 2026 World Cup set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the 2030 edition spanning Europe and Africa, the decisions made in the next few months will shape the sport for a generation.
