Infantino's Instagram post featured a short video montage from this summer's World Cup, with the caption: "This was the FIFA World Cup 2026! We unite - always!"
The message came after he was forced into a dramatic U-turn over the weekend on plans to sell off World Cup stakes to private investors. The proposal drew almost universal condemnation, with UEFA nations threatening to boycott the tournament unless it was reversed.
Backlash and resignation
The FIFA president also lost the support of his right-hand man, Carlos Cordeiro, who resigned in protest and described the scheme as "a bad deal for football".
UEFA has now threatened Infantino with legal action over the abandoned plot. According to The Telegraph, UEFA sent him a letter giving formal notice that it is considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints arising from the FFE plan. The letter also requires Infantino and FIFA to preserve all documents and electronically stored information connected to the matter.
Battle to stay in power
In the letter, UEFA said: "UEFA hereby gives formal notice that it is actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints (together, the “proceedings”) arising out of and in connection with the FFE plan proposed by FIFA and all related matters as further described below."
The situation leaves the 56-year-old facing a battle to save his job as FIFA president ahead of the next elections in 2027. Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been mooted as a potential challenger, although it is not clear whether he will run. Several UEFA member nations are reported to back him as the best chance of toppling Infantino.
Legia Warsaw owner Dariusz Mioduski has also been championed by senior federation officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Norway, Sweden, Germany and Spain, according to talkSPORT.
