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The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has withdrawn its previous support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to remain FIFA president, adding to growing pressure on the football governing body’s leadership. The FAI confirmed the decision after a board meeting and said it had formally written to FIFA to explain why it was rescinding a letter of support issued earlier this year. The association cited concerns over governance, transparency and the lack of meaningful consultation. The decision comes amid a widening dispute over FIFA’s leadership and a controversial proposal involving the commercial rights of the World Cup. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have criticised Infantino’s handling of the issue, accusing FIFA of a serious breakdown in trust. Ireland’s move represents another setback for Infantino as he seeks another term in office at the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027. New Zealand has also withdrawn its backing, while several European associations have publicly opposed Infantino’s leadership. Northern Ireland’s football association, meanwhile, has backed UEFA’s position and said it would continue engaging on issues related to football governance. The contrasting positions on the island underline the wider divisions emerging within international football. Despite the growing opposition, Infantino retains support from several influential football bodies, including the African confederation and a number of Arab football associations. The FIFA presidency therefore remains a closely contested political battle rather than a settled outcome. With more national associations reassessing their positions, the dispute is expected to remain a major issue ahead of the 2027 FIFA election. Ireland’s decision further highlights the mounting calls for greater transparency, consultation and accountability in the governance of world football.

FIFA’s plan to bring private equity investment into global football is opening a new chapter in its long-running struggle with Europe over the sport’s power, finances and commercial control. The world football governing body, led by President Gianni Infantino, is considering the creation of a subsidiary valued at around $20 billion. The proposed company would manage the World Cup and other major FIFA events. Under the plan, outside investors could acquire stakes of up to 20% in the new entity. The proposal has already triggered strong opposition from European football authorities. UEFA has criticised the idea and accused FIFA of putting the “soul” of football at risk by allowing private investors greater access to the sport’s most valuable competitions. Infantino has defended the proposal as an effort to make football’s financial system more inclusive. He has described the initiative as a form of “democratisation” that could allow more football nations to benefit from the sport’s growing commercial revenues. The plan could also provide financial incentives to FIFA’s 211 member associations. Under the proposal, each association could receive up to $20 million in immediate funding for special projects. Further grants of $20 million or more could be provided during subsequent four-year cycles. Such funding could prove particularly attractive to smaller and emerging football nations that depend heavily on FIFA for financial support. FIFA already generates billions of dollars through broadcasting rights, sponsorships and other commercial agreements. The organisation had set a revenue target of $13 billion for its previous four-year cycle, which included the latest World Cup and the Club World Cup. However, FIFA’s financial strength remains smaller than the overall commercial value of European football. UEFA reported that Europe’s top club competitions generated around €4.4 billion during the 2024-25 season alone. Football competitions across Europe generated more than €40 billion during the same period, according to Deloitte’s annual football finance review. The continent’s five major domestic leagues — the Premier League, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Serie A and Ligue 1 — accounted for more than half of that revenue. FIFA has spent decades trying to reduce Europe’s dominance over the global game. The organisation’s leadership has repeatedly sought to give greater influence to football associations in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Former FIFA president João Havelange was a major figure in that effort. He expanded the World Cup and built political support among smaller football nations, helping shift the balance of influence within FIFA. Successive FIFA presidents continued that approach. Infantino has expanded the World Cup from 32 teams to 48, increasing opportunities for countries outside Europe’s traditional football powers. The FIFA president has also suggested that a 64-team World Cup could be considered for the 2030 centenary tournament. The idea followed calls from South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL for an expanded competition. The proposal has faced criticism from European football officials. LaLiga president Javier Tebas has accused FIFA of damaging the sport. His criticism reflects wider concerns in Europe about the growing number of international competitions and the commercial expansion of FIFA. FIFA has previously attempted to attract external investment into its competitions. A proposed expansion of the Club World Cup backed by a consortium led by SoftBank in 2018 failed to materialise after strong resistance from UEFA. The latest private equity proposal could face a similar challenge. However, Infantino has a major advantage within FIFA’s political structure. The organisation’s decisions are determined by its global membership rather than European football alone. FIFA has 211 member associations, meaning support from Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions could allow Infantino to advance the plan despite European opposition. Experts believe the financial incentives could make the proposal attractive to developing football nations. Eric Windholz, an associate professor at Monash University’s law faculty, said countries in the Global South could find the plan appealing because their domestic football competitions generate far less commercial income than major European leagues. The regional football authorities have also reacted cautiously

GENEVA: FIFA has taken sweeping disciplinary action against Argentina following the confrontation that erupted after the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, handing midfielder Leandro Paredes a 10-match international suspension and a $90,000 fine. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced the sanctions after reviewing incidents that occurred at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, when Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to lift the World Cup trophy. Paredes received the heaviest punishment among the players involved. Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven international matches and fined $90,000, while Thiago Almada was handed a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine. Argentina team official Roberto Ayala was also suspended for three matches and fined $30,000. On the Spanish side, midfielder Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, better known as Gavi, received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine for unsporting behaviour. The disciplinary action follows a brief but heated confrontation at the final whistle. Reports said tensions spilled over as players from both teams came together on the pitch, with Paredes involved in an altercation with Gavi. FIFA subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings over alleged assault and unsporting behaviour. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was also hit with a combined $321,000 fine for multiple violations during the tournament. FIFA cited issues including team misconduct, discriminatory behaviour by supporters, security-related breaches and other disciplinary violations. Argentina has additionally been ordered to play its next two home matches with attendance restricted to 50 per cent of stadium capacity. However, FIFA has suspended part of the sanction, meaning one of those reduced-capacity matches will remain conditional during a probationary period. FIFA also directed that $100,000 from the disciplinary fine be allocated toward measures aimed at combating discrimination. Another portion of the financial penalty has been suspended under the conditions announced by the governing body. The AFA and the individuals involved have 10 days to request the detailed reasons behind the decisions, after which they may pursue available appeal procedures. The punishments add a controversial postscript to a dramatic World Cup final. Spain’s 1-0 victory secured the title, while Argentina was left to deal with the fallout from events that unfolded after the final whistle. What began as an emotional ending to football’s biggest tournament has now turned into a major disciplinary case, with Argentina facing significant player suspensions, financial penalties and restrictions on its home support.