FIFA Vice President Sandor Csanyi has withdrawn his confidence in President Gianni Infantino ahead of the global football governing body's next presidential elections in March 2027.
Csanyi, who is one of eight FIFA vice presidents and also serves as president of the Hungarian Football Federation, informed Infantino of his decision in a formal letter following events over the summer.
In the letter, Csanyi cited decisions that he said served political interests rather than the best interests of football, particularly concerning the 2026 World Cup. He highlighted a proposal to sell shares and commercial rights in the World Cup to private investors, stating that the plan had been prepared without informing the FIFA Council.
Although the proposal to sell World Cup shares to private financial backers has since been withdrawn, Infantino continues to face mounting pressure and criticism from high ranking figures within football's governing administration.
Dismissal of chief operating officer
Csanyi pointed to the unexpected dismissal of chief operating officer Kevin Lamour as the final straw in his decision to withdraw support. Lamour, a French administrator who held the number three position in the FIFA hierarchy, was officially released by the organization on Monday, 17 August.
Before his departure, Lamour oversaw key administrative sectors including legal affairs, communications, and personnel. He was among the most prominent voices inside the international federation to criticize Infantino's administration, particularly opposing the effort to transfer commercial rights to private investors.
Csanyi concluded his letter by stating that his confidence in Infantino's ability to lead FIFA successfully and effectively had been undermined.
Background and FIFA governance
FIFA, based in Zurich, Switzerland, is the international governing body for association football, overseeing national associations across six continental confederations. The organization's flagship tournament, the FIFA World Cup, generates the majority of its commercial and television revenue every four years.
The FIFA Council acts as the main executive body handling strategic direction for global football. Infantino has served as FIFA president since 2016, and the governing body's next presidential election will take place in March 2027.
