FIFA’s Infantino Faces Conmebol Question After World Cup Deal Fallout

Sun Sep 06 2026 13:49:07 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

BBC asks the football boss if Conmebol backs him amid whispers of a controversial World Cup stake sale

The BBC has challenged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to confirm if he enjoys backing from the South American football confederation, Conmebol. Infantino, who played in Colombia during the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella, has faced protests over a failed attempt to sell private stakes in the World Cup. The BBC’s probe comes after Infantino has been under pressure to resign, with critics accusing him of compromising football’s integrity. With the local governments in Argentina and Brazil expressing concerns, the football world watches closely as the president grapples with the fallout.

BBC turns on FIFA’s president: Is Conmebol backing him?

In the dimly‑lit halls of Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration, the BBC asked the world’s top football official, Gianni Infantino, if he can count on the South American confederation’s support. Infantino, still the head of FIFA after the World Cup’s controversial stake‑sale attempt, remains a polarising figure, with calls for his resignation pouring in from Spain, La Liga, and the Argentine media.

The BBC report – sent just minutes into its release – pinpoints a key question: does Conmebol stand by Infantino after a financial controversy that could threaten the 2027 World Cup? The answer may shape the direction of the sport throughout the Americas.

Conmebol’s perspective remains unspoken; Infantino skipped the BBC’s lines and could not be reached for comment. Football fans, meanwhile, are keeping a close eye on any next move because the reality of the World Cup’s stake‑sale deal could still leave a bitter aftertaste.

Sources: BBC News, Latest updates posted at 20:12:26 UTC on 7 August 2026