CONMEBOL Unanimously Backs Infantino for FIFA Presidency
The South American football confederation, CONMEBOL, has unanimously endorsed Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA President. The decision was made during a council meeting in Asunción, Paraguay, on Thursday. The endorsement from the influential South American bloc provides a major boost to Infantino's campaign for a third term, with the election scheduled for 2027. The move signals a continuation of the current leadership's vision for global football governance.
The council, which included Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia, emphasized Infantino's "leadership and the progress made during his term at the helm of FIFA." The statement from CONMEBOL highlighted the positive impact of his leadership on global football development. This public, unanimous backing from a major continental confederation is a significant show of political strength for the incumbent.
Tapia, who attended the meeting, had received special judicial permission to leave Argentina to attend. He had been subject to a travel ban as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct, including accusations of embezzlement and misappropriation of pension funds. The court granted him a temporary exemption to travel to Paraguay for the CONMEBOL meeting.
Gianni Infantino was first elected FIFA President in 2016 to succeed the disgraced Sepp Blatter and was re-elected unopposed in 2019. His current term, his second, is set to conclude in 2027. The endorsement from CONMEBOL, which represents the ten South American football nations, consolidates his support among the world's continental footballing bodies ahead of the election cycle. The show of unity from South America suggests a clear path for Infantino's bid for a third term, should he choose to run.
