Football supporters demand Infantino’s resignation and FIFA reforms
A global supporter petition demanding Gianni Infantino’s resignation adds public pressure to a widening revolt over FIFA governance and the collapsed private-investment plan.
🔍 WHY THIS STORY MATTERS
The petition turns an internal FIFA governance crisis into a broader supporter-led challenge, raising questions over leadership, transparency and who should influence decisions affecting European and global football.
KEY TAKEAWAYS...
● Supporter organisations worldwide are pressing for Gianni Infantino’s resignation and FIFA reform.
● The petition had more than 9,000 verified signatures on Thursday.
● Five FIFA vice-presidents have now been reported as having lost confidence in Infantino.
S upporter organisations from Europe and other regions have launched a global petition calling for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign and for reforms to the governing body.
The campaign, started by Football Supporters Europe (a football fan network located in Germany with members in over 50 UEFA nations), had more than 12,000 verified signatures on Thursday. It calls for greater transparency, independent oversight and checks on executive power.
“The current system of self-regulation at FIFA has repeatedly failed to provide sufficient accountability,” its says. “Football stakeholders and public authorities must work together to establish governance standards that are fit for purpose and capable of protecting the game for future generations.”
Its first signatories include supporter groups from England, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands.
The petition follows the collapse of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a proposed commercial structure that would have sold a minority stake to private investors. Infantino subsequently acknowledged that mistakes had been made in handling the plan and said it should have been managed differently.
Opposition to his leadership has also widened inside football. The Guardian reported on Wednesday that Sandor Csanyi, president of the Hungarian football federation and one of FIFA’s vice-presidents, had withdrawn his confidence in Infantino. He became the fifth FIFA vice-president reported to have done so.
Campaign organisers accuse Infantino of concentrating power and marginalising football stakeholders. The petition also seeks formal supporter involvement in major FIFA decisions and stronger accountability mechanisms.
Gianni Infantino has resisted calls to resign so far and is expected to seek another term as FIFA president.
🔮 WHAT MATTERS NEXT...
🎯 WHAT TO WATCH NEXT:
● Whether additional national football associations withdraw their support for Infantino’s re-election.
● Whether FIFA’s promised governance review produces substantive changes to decision-making and oversight.
● Whether opposition groups coalesce around an alternative candidate for the 2027 FIFA presidential election.
● Whether the supporter petition attracts significantly broader backing.
🎯 MOST LIKELY OUTCOME:
● Pressure on Infantino is likely to remain intense through the run-up to the 2027 FIFA election, while his position depends heavily on whether opposition broadens beyond Europe.
🎯 WHAT COULD CHANGE THE PICTURE:
● A decisive shift in support among FIFA associations outside Europe could substantially alter the balance around Infantino’s re-election.
🎯 WHY THIS MATTERS:
● The dispute is increasingly about who controls FIFA, how major commercial decisions are made and whether football supporters have a meaningful voice in its governance.
GOING FURTHER
Global petition: Gianni Infantino to resign, FIFA reform | Change.org
Gianni Infantino admits 'mistakes' over failed $20bn Fifa investment plan | Financial Times
Fifth Fifa vice-president turns against Infantino, saying he has 'lost confidence' in him | The Guardian
Fifa scraps proposal to sell off stakes in World Cup after widespread backlash | The Guardian
Norway’s Klaveness tells Fifa president Infantino to resign: 'There is no trust now' | The Guardian
More European countries’ FAs withdraw support for Infantino as pressure intensifies | The Guardian
Top Fifa official departs after attacking Infantino's plan to lure investors | Financial Times
The Fifa family: which confederations could support Infantino or turn against him? | The Guardian
Sources:
▪ This piece was first published in Europeans TODAY on 20 August 2026.
▪ Cover: Dreamstime/KORWEN.
