Mexico Supports Gianni Infantino Amidst Criticism from CONCACAF: 'For The Greater Good...'

The Mexico Football Federation (FMF) has publicly expressed its support for Gianni Infantino’s presidency at FIFA, despite the significant criticism he is currently facing from various football associations worldwide. This backing comes in the wake of Infantino's controversial proposal to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup to private investors, a move that has sparked outrage among many stakeholders in the sport.

In a statement, the FMF aligned itself with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) in endorsing Infantino, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to advance football for the benefit of all 211 member associations. This support is particularly notable as UEFA, the governing body for European football, has threatened to boycott the FIFA World Cup, citing a loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership. UEFA's statement over the weekend highlighted the growing discontent among its members regarding the direction of FIFA under Infantino.

CONCACAF, which oversees football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, has called for a thorough evaluation of Infantino’s presidency. The federation's concerns reflect a broader unease within the football community about the implications of Infantino's recent actions. Meanwhile, CONMEBOL, the governing body for South American football, has also voiced its apprehensions regarding the lack of consultation surrounding FIFA's plans to establish a new entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, which is intended to manage major tournaments and events.

FIFA's proposal includes selling a 20% stake in this new venture to an investment group led by Thrive Eternal, a US-based fund associated with Joshua Kushner, who is notably the brother of Jared Kushner, a prominent figure in US politics. The valuation for this stake is set at $4.2 billion, raising questions about the future of football governance and the potential commercialization of the sport.

As FIFA prepares for its elections in March, the situation remains tense. While the AFA has acknowledged the uncertainty created by Infantino's proposals, it has also recognized the significant changes that have occurred within FIFA during his tenure. The federation emphasized the need to maintain unity within the football community, even as various associations express their concerns and reservations about the current leadership.