Six Arab federation presidents back Gianni Infantino after World Cup plan row | OneFootball

Gianni Infantino received backing on Thursday from six Arab federation presidents after his aborted plan for a World Cup commercial company drew fierce criticism, with UEFA, the AFC and Concacaf having publicly distanced themselves in an open letter earlier this week.

According to L'Équipe, the joint statement was signed by Fouzi Lekjaa, Hamad ben Khalifa Al Thani, Hany Abo Rida, Ahmed Yahya, Hashem Haidar and Moatasem Gafar, representing Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon and Sudan. Morocco is a co-host of the next World Cup.

The six said they fully support Infantino, reaffirming confidence in his leadership and his commitment to developing the game worldwide. They praised his efforts to expand opportunities and to bring people and communities together, and signalled a desire to keep working closely with him.

Four of the signatories sit on the FIFA Council, Hamad ben Khalifa Al Thani, Hany Abo Rida, Fouzi Lekjaa and Ahmed Yahya. Qatar and Lebanon belong to the AFC, which on Monday had aligned with UEFA and Concacaf’s more defiant stance.

Infantino, 56, remains the only declared candidate for the FIFA presidency in March 2027 in Morocco, and has been in post since 2016. In recent weeks federations including Norway, Sweden, Ukraine, Serbia, Wales, Jordan and New Zealand have withdrawn support, while backing remains from CAF and from federations such as Argentina and Mexico.

Source: L'Équipe

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