Caribbean Football Union backs Gianni Infantino for FIFA presidency re-election

A regional bloc joins the incumbent

The Caribbean Football Union (CFU), which groups 31 member associations, has announced that it supports Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president in the 2027 election. Of those 31, 25 are entitled to vote, and the CFU said its position was reached after consulting all of its members. The statement credited FIFA's financial support for football development in the region, including investment in infrastructure, technical programmes, youth and women's football. The CFU also said it continues to call for greater transparency, good governance and reforms within the football family, and expects FIFA to strengthen accountability.

Total CFU members31

Entitled to vote at FIFA election25

Total CFU members

31 associations

Entitled to vote at FIFA election

25 associations

Data from the article text

Opposition from its own confederation

The decision puts the CFU at odds with CONCACAF, the continental body that had opposed Infantino, and with UEFA, which N-tv reports sits in the opposition alongside CONCACAF. Infantino had promised a clear increase in funding and had travelled through the Caribbean to seek support. Asia's confederation AFC has also moved behind him, and its president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, has pledged full support. Africa and South America are already on his side, and so, largely, is Oceania.

Money, a failed plan and the 2027 Congress

FIFA has announced that its affiliated associations will receive 25 million dollars, roughly 22.5 million euros, for the period 2027 to 2030, instead of 10 million dollars, according to Telegraaf. Infantino also promised Aruba almost 5 million euros for seven artificial turf pitches. Infantino, 56, is seeking a fourth term at the FIFA Congress on 18 March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. His plan to sell World Cup rights to private investors failed, and it drew sharp criticism during the summer.

Challengers, deadline and open questions

Candidates must file their applications with FIFA by 18 November. Kozo Tashima, a 68-year-old Japanese official who is honorary chairman of his national federation and a member of FIFA's council, has announced a candidacy, but few give him a chance. Ramon Vega, a former Swiss professional, also wants to run, but he has not yet shown that he has the support of the five associations required. Arsène Wenger, 77, is reportedly being considered as a candidate by French media, though he has not confirmed it. Media reports say he may explain his position in the week of 9 November 2026, and he is FIFA's director of global football development, having distanced himself from Infantino. Many European associations, including the KNVB, want a different president, and they turned against Infantino when he proposed selling World Cup rights. UEFA has not yet named a candidate, although criteria for a broadly acceptable candidate were set at a federation leaders' summit in Berlin in mid-October.