Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly stated that he no longer holds confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This declaration adds significant pressure to the soccer leader, following a global backlash sparked by his now-abandoned proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup.
Carney characterized the proposal as a “fatal” governance failure, specifically noting that Infantino failed to consult with senior advisers, including the organization's board members and its chief operating officer. “It should be fatal,” Carney stated. “Certainly I don’t have confidence in Mr. Infantino.”
The criticism arrives shortly after Infantino withdrew the controversial plan, which had aimed to establish a $20 billion company to manage the World Cup with the involvement of private investors, such as the Kushner family. Although Canada co-hosted the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico—an event where Carney appeared alongside Infantino on multiple occasions—the Prime Minister joined a growing chorus of high-profile dissenters. Earlier, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham described Infantino as “the wrong man to lead” the world of soccer.
The proposal faced intense opposition from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), national soccer federations, and various senior FIFA advisers. UEFA’s 55 member associations had threatened to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions if the plan proceeded. Additionally, both the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football and the Asian Football Confederation expressed their opposition to the move. Despite the reversal, UEFA has committed to working with other confederations to prevent similar proposals from surfacing in the future.
While Infantino maintains backing from certain member associations, such as 2022 World Cup host Qatar, the pressure on his leadership continues to mount. FIFA’s next presidential election is set for March in Rabat, Morocco, with candidates required to enter the race by November 18. FIFA did not immediately provide a response to a request for comment.
