Argentina break ranks with CONMEBOL to support Gianni Infantino
Argentina have publicly backed Gianni Infantino despite CONMEBOL expressing concerns over FIFA’s recent decision-making and the growing opposition to his presidency.
Argentina have thrown their support behind FIFA president Gianni Infantino despite growing resistance to his leadership across world football.
According to GOAL, the Argentine Football Association praised Infantino’s decade in charge and said it remained committed to working under his leadership ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election.
The AFA’s statement came shortly after CONMEBOL raised concerns about what it described as repeated unilateral decisions by FIFA.
The South American confederation called for greater use of established institutional procedures, while also appearing to leave open the possibility of reconsidering its support for Infantino’s re-election.
Argentina, however, took a different position from the confederation. The association praised FIFA’s decision to abandon the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and viewed Infantino’s apology to the 211 member associations as evidence of a willingness to address mistakes made during the process.
The AFA also credited Infantino’s administration with transforming FIFA and improving engagement between the governing body, national associations and continental confederations.
It said the organisation’s future should continue under his leadership to promote the development and inclusivity of football. The backing comes as Infantino faces significant opposition elsewhere.
UEFA’s 55 associations have maintained their threat to boycott FIFA competitions, while CONCACAF has demanded a comprehensive review of FIFA’s governance. CAF, meanwhile, has unanimously reaffirmed its support for the FIFA president.
The latest developments have intensified the political divisions ahead of the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027. Infantino remains the only declared candidate so far, while the split between national associations and their respective confederations could become increasingly significant as the election approaches.
Argentina’s decision is therefore an important boost for Infantino at a time when his leadership is under unprecedented scrutiny.
The AFA’s endorsement also highlights the increasingly complicated political landscape surrounding FIFA, with support for the incumbent now varying sharply across the world’s footballing regions.
