Norway Calls for Gianni Infantino's Resignation as FIFA Leadership Crisis Deepens
Norway's Football Federation has called for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign immediately, citing a loss of trust following the collapse of FIFA's controversial World Cup investment proposal. The move intensifies a growing global leadership crisis within football's governing body.
The leadership crisis engulfing world football intensified on Friday after the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) became the first national football association to formally call for the immediate resignation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The demand, made by NFF President Lise Klaveness, comes amid mounting criticism of Infantino's leadership following the collapse of FIFA's controversial proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of future FIFA World Cups through a private investment vehicle. The failed initiative has sparked accusations of poor governance, inadequate consultation with member associations, and a loss of confidence in FIFA's executive leadership. (Reuters)
Norway Says FIFA Has Lost Trust
Speaking after a meeting of the Norwegian Football Federation's board, Klaveness said Infantino no longer enjoys the institutional trust required to lead world football during one of the organization's most challenging periods.
"There is no trust now," Klaveness said, adding that international football needed leadership capable of restoring confidence, transparency, and unity among FIFA's 211 member associations. She urged Infantino to step down immediately to allow FIFA to rebuild its credibility.
Klaveness also dismissed speculation that she might seek the FIFA presidency herself, insisting that her priority is governance reform rather than pursuing the sport's highest office.
Fallout From the Failed World Cup Investment Plan
The latest controversy stems from FIFA's now-abandoned proposal to create a new commercial entity, reportedly known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would have allowed private investors to acquire a minority stake in the commercial rights to FIFA's flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup.
FIFA argued that the proposal would generate billions of dollars in new revenue to support football development worldwide. However, many football associations, particularly in Europe, which has criticized the plan as an attempt to commercialise football's most valuable tournament without adequate consultation.
After widespread opposition from member associations and continental confederations, FIFA withdrew the proposal, but the decision failed to quell criticism over how the initiative was conceived and presented.
Growing European Opposition
Norway's call for Infantino's resignation follows similar expressions of dissatisfaction from several European football bodies.
The English Football Association (FA) and the Football Association of Wales (FAW) have reportedly withdrawn their support for Infantino's expected re-election campaign, while UEFA has continued to criticise FIFA's governance and warned that confidence in the current leadership has been severely damaged. (Sky News)
UEFA has maintained that despite FIFA's withdrawal of the investment proposal and subsequent apology, the underlying governance concerns remain unresolved.
The European governing body has insisted that FIFA must provide stronger guarantees of transparency and meaningful consultation before trust can be restored. (The Guardian)
FIFA Finds Support Elsewhere
Despite growing opposition in Europe, Infantino continues to receive backing from several football associations outside the continent.
On Friday, both the Argentine Football Association and the Mexican Football Federation publicly reaffirmed their support for the FIFA president, arguing that football's governing body should focus on moving forward rather than becoming consumed by political divisions.
Their support contrasts with the position adopted by Norway and several European federations, highlighting an increasingly fragmented international football landscape.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has also reiterated its support for Infantino, praising his efforts to expand football development across the African continent.
Klaveness Has Long Been a FIFA Critic
Klaveness has emerged as one of FIFA's most outspoken critics in recent years.
Since becoming president of the Norwegian Football Federation in 2022, she has consistently advocated for stronger governance reforms, greater transparency, and improved human rights protections within international football.
She previously criticised FIFA over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, questioned the organisation's human rights policies, and recently called for the abolition of FIFA's Peace Prize, arguing that political awards fall outside the governing body's sporting mandate. (Wikipedia)
Her latest intervention marks the strongest challenge yet to Infantino's leadership.
Governance Crisis Deepens
The controversy surrounding FIFA extends beyond the abandoned investment proposal.
Critics have raised concerns about several recent decisions under Infantino's presidency, including FIFA's handling of disciplinary matters, its relationship with political leaders, and what opponents describe as an increasingly centralized style of decision-making.
Klaveness argued that FIFA should prioritise regulation, transparency, and accountability rather than expanding its commercial activities.
She warned that restoring confidence among member associations would require significant institutional reform and a renewed commitment to democratic governance.
What Happens Next?
Attention is now turning to the 2027 FIFA presidential election, where Infantino is widely expected to seek another term in office.
While no major challenger has formally announced a candidacy, the growing political divide within world football suggests the election could become one of the most contested in FIFA's modern history.
Several national associations are expected to continue reviewing their positions in the coming weeks as discussions over FIFA's governance intensify.
For now, Infantino has not indicated any intention to resign, and FIFA has continued defending its leadership while acknowledging mistakes in the handling of the abandoned investment proposal.
Outlook
Norway's unprecedented call for Gianni Infantino's resignation marks a significant escalation in the governance crisis confronting FIFA.
What began as criticism of a controversial commercial proposal has evolved into a broader debate about leadership, accountability, and the future direction of world football.
With Europe increasingly divided from other regions over FIFA's governance, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether Infantino can rebuild trust among member associations or whether pressure for new leadership will continue to grow.
As preparations begin for the next FIFA presidential election, the battle over the future of football's governing body appears far from over.