Gianni Infantino will face some of his political enemies, rivals, and harshest critics when the FIFA Council meets in Zurich on Thursday morning. The 10am meeting is the first opportunity for the other 36 Council members to question Infantino directly about his secret plan to sell the World Cup behind their backs. The key questions for Infantino include: Infantino was at the height of his powers this summer, but he is now facing the most serious crisis of his presidency.
Despite the scandals and controversy, though, he will stay in power and win a fourth presidential term if no rival emerges to challenge him before the November 18 deadline. Infantino had more than 200 letters of support this summer for his re-election bid, including from the English FA, before news broke of his controversial World Cup part-privatisation plan. The plan was quickly abandoned, but many associations, especially in Europe, have withdrawn their letters of support.
The president is elected by FIFA's 211 member associations and Infantino is currently well placed to receive the 106 votes he would need to carry on until 2031. Infantino has not faced any challengers in the two elections since he first became president in 2016. Arsene Wenger has emerged as a potential candidate to challenge Infantino, but Wenger has been working with Infantino as FIFA's chief of global football development.
The former Arsenal manager is a popular and respected figure worldwide, but it remains to be seen whether he can be persuaded to stand. FIFA has released the meeting agenda and it promises to be a slow burn, with the most contentious items set for discussion at the end of the gathering of what is effectively the FIFA board. The FIFA Council has 37 members made up of: Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m!
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