UEFA says it has lost confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has formally criticised FIFA president Gianni Infantino, stating that he has “failed to deliver” on the key commitments he made when he was first elected in February 2016. In a communiqué released ahead of the UEFA Congress, the governing body highlighted a series of promises outlined in Infantino’s inaugural campaign—expanding the men’s World Cup to 48 teams, substantially increasing investment in women’s football, and implementing reforms to improve transparency and governance within FIFA. UEFA officials argued that, despite the tournament expansion being realized for 2026, other pledges such as the creation of a global women’s club competition, the establishment of a sustainable financial model for smaller federations, and the promised overhaul of FIFA’s decision‑making structures remain unfulfilled.

The criticism comes as Infantino approaches the end of his second term, with the next FIFA presidential election scheduled for 2027. While FIFA has pointed to progress in areas like the introduction of VAR technology and the launch of new development programs, the UEFA statement underscores a growing impatience among European football leaders who seek clearer evidence of tangible outcomes. The dispute may shape the dialogue between the two organisations ahead of upcoming reforms and could influence the broader debate over FIFA’s strategic direction in the next decade.