The soccer federations of the United States and Canada backed a joint statement on Monday criticizing FIFA President Gianni Infantino, ahead of their co-hosting duties for the 2026 World Cup. According to US Soccer and Canada Soccer, the associations joined regional confederations to demand strengthened transparency and accountability within the organization.
While US Soccer and Canada Soccer aligned with the critique, the tournament’s third co-host, Mexico, maintained its backing of the FIFA leader. Alongside the North American federations, the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and the UNCAF (Central American Football Union) stated they are uniting with global colleagues to demand significant governance reforms, according to official statements released on social media.
The Commercial Plan That Triggered FIFA’s Leadership Crisis
Gianni Infantino faced intense pressure following his proposal to launch a private investment-backed commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The initiative was intended to handle the commercial management of the World Cups. Although the plan was archived, the controversy galvanized opposition among member associations.
FIFA defended its leadership on Saturday, issuing a statement condemning what it described as an ongoing, concerted effort by certain parties to undermine the organization and its president. Despite that pushback, criticism mounted on Monday when three continental governing bodies issued a coordinated rebuke.
Confederations Challenge Power and Governance
A joint letter published on Monday by European governing body UEFA, North and Central American and Caribbean body Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) declared that the sport does not belong to any individual. According to the text of the letter, leadership in soccer is not a personal possession and is not about conserving or demanding power for oneself.
US Soccer and Canada Soccer amplified this position by publishing direct links to the joint confederation letter on their official social media channels.