A growing dispute within global football has put FIFA President Gianni Infantino under increasing pressure, with World Cup co-hosts the United States and Canada joining calls for reforms to the organisation's governance.
The development comes after UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF publicly criticised Infantino over a controversial proposal involving the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup.
The proposal, which has since been abandoned, reportedly sought to sell a 20 per cent stake in World Cup commercial rights to investors for about $4.2 billion.
The dispute has created an unusual situation ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election, with several football organisations questioning Infantino's leadership and decision-making.
UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF accused the FIFA president of acting unilaterally and failing to adequately consult football's governing structures before pursuing the commercial plan.
In a joint open letter, the confederations described the issue as a serious breach of trust and called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the proposal.
They also raised concerns about the transparency of a recent FIFA emergency meeting in Morocco.
The criticism has now received support from football authorities in the United States and Canada. U.S. Soccer and Canada Soccer have joined calls for governance reforms within FIFA, adding pressure on Infantino at a particularly sensitive time for the organisation.
The opposition is notable because the United States, Canada and Mexico were the hosts of the 2026 World Cup, the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams.
The competition involved 104 matches across 16 host cities, making it one of the largest sporting events ever staged.
Despite the political and organisational tensions surrounding FIFA, preparations for the tournament had previously been presented as a major example of international cooperation.
Canada, Mexico and the United States worked together on issues including security, transportation and border management to support the competition.
The latest disagreement, however, has shifted attention away from the tournament itself and towards FIFA's leadership.
Critics argue that decisions involving the World Cup's commercial future should be made through transparent processes involving FIFA's member associations and relevant football bodies.
Infantino's supporters, meanwhile, have defended the FIFA president and accused his opponents of attempting to undermine him through improper channels.
The disagreement has exposed a growing divide among FIFA's continental confederations, with some regions continuing to support Infantino while others demand changes to the organisation's leadership and governance.
The conflict could have consequences beyond Infantino's political future. UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF have reportedly discussed stronger measures, including the possibility of boycotting future FIFA competitions if guarantees are not provided against similar decisions being made without proper consultation.
For Infantino, the growing opposition represents a significant challenge as he seeks to maintain support within FIFA. The involvement of the United States and Canada makes the dispute particularly striking given their prominent roles in the organisation's biggest tournament.
The controversy is therefore likely to remain a major issue in international football in the months ahead. With calls for an independent investigation and governance reforms gaining momentum, attention will now turn to how FIFA responds to its critics and whether Infantino can rebuild trust among the organisations that make up the global football community.