The six federations, led by Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco), Hamad ben Khalifa Al Thani (Qatar), Hany Abo Rida (Egypt), Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania), Hashem Haidar (Lebanon), and Moatasem Gafar (Sudan), expressed their support for Infantino in a statement highlighting the importance of football in bringing people together and reinforcing cooperation between football federations in the Arab world. This move comes after Infantino faced criticism from multiple federations following his failed plan to create a commercial company for the World Cup.
Infantino has been facing criticism from several football federations, including the UEFA, AFC, and Concacaf, which published an open letter criticizing his plan. However, the support from the six Arab federations is a significant boost for the FIFA president. The statement signed by the six federations' leaders emphasizes their appreciation for Infantino's efforts to advance football globally, expand opportunities in all regions, and reinforce the role of football in bringing people and communities together.
Infantino remains the only declared candidate for the next FIFA presidential election, scheduled to take place in March 2027 in Morocco. The election will be a crucial test for Infantino's leadership and his ability to maintain the support of football federations around the world.