Sports

Infantino says most member federations back his re-election bid

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says most of the governing body's member federations support his bid for another term, describing the backing as overwhelming. He spoke despite criticism of a plan, since shelved, to sell part of the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors. BBC Arabic reports the controversy has prompted calls for his resignation, while Sky News Arabia notes that no rival candidate has emerged so far.

سكاي نيوز عربيةSaturday, October 24, 2026, 16:19Covered by 2 sources

Illustrative photo: Empty large football stadium with green pitch seen from the stands under an open roof. Photo by RAHIM SALMEEN on Unsplash

Why it matters

The coming election puts member federations' confidence in FIFA's leadership to the test after a dispute over the commercial rights to the world's biggest football tournament. That matters to Arab fans, since FIFA's commercial decisions bear on how major tournaments followed by millions in the region are run.

Background

FIFA is the global governing body of football and oversees the World Cup. Its president is elected by the member national associations, so their backing is usually seen as a key indicator of a candidate's chances.

Key points

Sky News Arabia frames the story as a bid for a fourth term, asking in its headline whether he is close to securing it.
BBC Arabic's headline quotes him as saying he has the support of the overwhelming majority "in the world of football", a broader phrase than member federations.
BBC Arabic describes the controversial project as a sale of rights to FIFA's commercial tournaments, while Sky News Arabia limits it to part of the World Cup rights.

How outlets covered it

The two outlets agree on the core facts: Infantino says he has overwhelming support despite the controversy over a plan to sell rights. Sky News Arabia stressed the electoral angle, with a headline about the absence of a rival so far and a possible fourth term. It called the plan "aborted" and limited it to part of the World Cup rights. BBC Arabic focused on the calls for his resignation, described a project to sell rights to FIFA's commercial tournaments, and quoted him claiming the support of the majority in the world of football.