Argentina and Mexico stand by embattled Infantino amid backlash

Despite facing intense criticism over recent controversies, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has received public backing from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF).

The controversy erupted over a proposal to create a new commercial entity and sell a 20 percent stake to private investors, aiming to raise approximately $4.2 billion. The plan faced global backlash and was withdrawn last week, with FIFA subsequently apologising to its members and promising a review of its decision-making processes .

Following the incident, questions have been raised over Infantino's leadership. CONCACAF has called for a thorough review of his presidency, while UEFA has maintained its stance on boycotting FIFA tournaments. The Asian Football Confederation has also expressed solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF .

However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unanimously backed Infantino's leadership. Similarly, CONMEBOL has stated it rejects any initiative to remove him without the full participation of FIFA's 211 member associations .

The Mexican Football Federation issued a statement saying it will not recognise any process outside FIFA's institutional framework and will continue to support Infantino's leadership in developing world football .

The Argentine Football Association also wrote to Infantino, praising his decade of work at FIFA's helm. While acknowledging that the controversial investment proposal had created unnecessary uncertainty and was a mistake, AFA believes that moving forward with reforms and dialogue under the current leadership until next year's FIFA Congress is the most logical path .

Meanwhile, England, Albania and Croatia have withdrawn their support for Infantino. The players' union FIFPRO has also criticised the controversy, calling it not just an administrative failure but an abuse of presidential power .

Infantino will seek a fourth term as president at the FIFA Congress in Morocco next March . Although his position has been weakened by recent events, no formal challenger has yet emerged against him.