Global Division: Gianni Infantino's FIFA Presidency Faces Unprecedented Backlash

As recently as mid-July, Gianni Infantino looked like he would cruise to re-election as FIFA president next March without facing any serious opposition. Almost all of FIFA's 210 member associations had previously endorsed his fourth term.

However, that picture has changed dramatically following two weeks of intense fallout over his now-abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors. The global football community is now deeply divided over whether he should remain in office.

To illustrate this clear split, BBC Sport has mapped the positions of all 210 voting member associations, excluding Nepal which is currently suspended and lacks voting rights. While some nations have made their stances public, others informed BBC Sport directly or had their positions deduced from continental confederation statements.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Under FIFA election rules, a head-to-head vote between two candidates requires a simple majority, meaning each candidate needs 106 votes to win. If three or more candidates run, a first-round win requires two-thirds of the vote, followed by a simple majority runoff if necessary.

Geographically, Europe holds 55 votes, Africa 54, Asia 46, North America 35, Oceania 11, and South America 10. The current tally shows 73 nations supporting Infantino, 124 in opposition, and 13 remaining undecided, though this landscape remains fluid.

Source: BBC Sport