The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has publicly backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino at a time when Argentina’s national team remains under FIFA disciplinary investigation following the 2026 World Cup final. The endorsement also comes amid one of the biggest governance crises of Infantino’s presidency, with UEFA continuing to challenge his leadership despite FIFA withdrawing its controversial commercialisation proposal.
In a statement issued through its official channels, the AFA praised Infantino’s decade-long tenure and welcomed FIFA’s decision to abandon the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project, which had sparked criticism from several confederations and member associations.
“On behalf of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and its Executive Committee, we express our support for the work carried out over the past 10 years, whose main pillars have been the development of football worldwide and institutional strength based on a clear, stable, and transparent governance model.”
The federation also acknowledged FIFA’s decision to withdraw “a project that generated more uncertainty than certainty”, while welcoming the governing body’s acceptance of mistakes during the process.
SUPPORT COMES AMID WORLD CUP AFTERMATH
The timing of Argentina’s statement has inevitably attracted attention.
The AFA did not refer to the ongoing disciplinary proceedings involving the national team following incidents after the World Cup final against Spain. However, the endorsement comes while FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee continues to review the matter.
It also follows a tournament in which Argentina frequently found itself at the centre of refereeing debates. Several contentious officiating decisions involving Lionel Scaloni’s side became talking points throughout the competition, particularly after the quarter-final against Egypt, where Egyptian players and officials publicly alleged that the tournament had been tilted in Argentina’s favour. FIFA never accepted those claims, and no evidence has emerged to substantiate the allegations, but the controversy contributed to the wider scrutiny surrounding the competition.
Against that backdrop, the AFA’s strong backing of Infantino is likely to draw additional attention beyond its stated message.
WORLD FOOTBALL REMAINS DIVIDED
Argentina’s statement also highlights the growing divide within world football over FIFA’s leadership.
While UEFA has maintained that it no longer has confidence in Infantino and continues to threaten a boycott of FIFA competitions despite the governing body’s apology, the AFA praised what it described as a transformation of FIFA under the Swiss administrator.
“Prioritizing governance standards is a fundamental pillar for strengthening good relations between FIFA, its member associations, and the confederations.”
The federation also credited Infantino with creating a more inclusive organisation.
“The transformation opened the doors of the organisation to all member associations and confederations so that, through frank and direct dialogue, all of us together can continue promoting football at all its levels and disciplines.”
With the Confederation of African Football (CAF) also publicly supporting Infantino, football’s political landscape appears increasingly split. As UEFA and FIFA continue their governance battle, Argentina’s endorsement adds another influential voice to the FIFA president’s camp, even as questions surrounding the World Cup and the governing body’s leadership continue to dominate the sport.
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