Doha: The heads of six Arab soccer federations have declared their ‘full support’ and ‘confidence’ in FIFA President Gianni Infantino as he navigates turmoil following the contentious proposal to privatize World Cup investments. These federations, representing Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon, and Sudan, are backing Infantino, who is fighting to retain his position amidst calls for his resignation after a failed $20 billion investment plan.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the support comes as Infantino confronts a backlash from global soccer bodies, including UEFA, over his proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors. The proposal was met with significant opposition, leading to its withdrawal. UEFA, along with CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, criticized the plan as a ‘fundamental breach of trust’ and warned of a potential boycott of FIFA events.

The Football Association of Ireland recently withdrew its backing for Infantino’s re-election, citing concerns over FIFA’s governance and transparency. This follows similar actions from the soccer federations of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which aligned with UEFA’s critical stance.

In a related development, New Zealand Football announced it had retracted support for Infantino and called for an independent review of FIFA’s operations. The organization expressed concerns about decision-making processes within FIFA, emphasizing a need to restore trust within the international football community.

A notable division emerged within the Asian Football Confederation as Qatar and Lebanon expressed support for Infantino, in contrast to the broader bloc’s position. Infantino’s Instagram account has showcased letters of support from several federations, including Morocco, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, highlighting a schism within the Asian bloc.

The signatories expressing support for Infantino include key figures such as Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abo Rida, Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa, and Mauritanian Football Federation president Ahmed Yahya, among others.

Since becoming FIFA president in 2016, Infantino was anticipated to secure re-election unopposed next year in Morocco. However, with FIFA setting a November 18 deadline for challengers, the landscape of soccer governance remains uncertain.