Request for a FIFA Extraordinary Congress to Be Convened to Consider the Removal of FIFA President Gianni Infantino

The governance of global football is facing a serious crisis of confidence, and it is essential that FIFA responds in a manner that upholds the principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. This petition calls for the convening of a FIFA Extraordinary Congress so that FIFA’s member associations can consider and vote on whether Gianni Infantino should continue to serve as President of FIFA.

During Gianni Infantino’s presidency, FIFA has faced repeated controversies relating to governance, ethics, transparency, and decision-making. These controversies have led to growing criticism from football stakeholders, the media, and supporters, raising concerns about whether FIFA is consistently applying its own rules and maintaining the independence expected of the world’s governing body for football.

The most recent controversy arose during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Following the dismissal of United States forward Folarin Balogun, FIFA informed ABC News that the referee’s decision was final and that the resulting automatic suspension “was not able to be overturned or appealed.” Days later, however, FIFA announced that it was suspending the implementation of the sanction under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium.

Major international media outlets subsequently reported that United States President Donald Trump had personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the case before FIFA announced its decision. Following the ruling, the Royal Belgian Football Association publicly criticized FIFA’s decision, arguing that it was inconsistent with FIFA’s own disciplinary regulations and the FIFA World Cup Competition Regulations.

FIFA has stated that its decision was made under the authority of Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. Nevertheless, the sequence of events has generated widespread concern and public debate about whether FIFA’s disciplinary processes are sufficiently independent, transparent, and consistently applied. Regardless of whether the decision was legally permissible, the appearance that political intervention may have influenced a disciplinary decision risks undermining confidence in FIFA’s governance and the principle that all member associations should be treated equally.

This controversy comes against the backdrop of several years of governance-related criticism directed at FIFA under Gianni Infantino’s leadership. Together, these issues have contributed to a growing perception among many stakeholders that FIFA requires stronger accountability, greater transparency, and renewed confidence in its leadership.

The FIFA Statutes provide member associations with the authority to request the convening of an Extraordinary Congress when exceptional circumstances warrant consideration by FIFA’s membership. This mechanism exists to ensure that FIFA’s leadership remains accountable to its members and that important governance questions can be addressed through democratic processes.

Football deserves leadership that is transparent, accountable, independent, and committed to applying its rules fairly and consistently, free from political influence or preferential treatment. Convening an Extraordinary Congress would allow FIFA’s member associations to openly debate these concerns and democratically determine whether confidence in the current leadership should continue.

We therefore call upon FIFA’s member associations to exercise their rights under the FIFA Statutes by requesting the convening of an Extraordinary Congress and placing on its agenda a vote on whether Gianni Infantino should remain President of FIFA.

We also encourage football confederations, national associations, clubs, players, supporters, and all stakeholders throughout the global football community to support this call for greater transparency, accountability, and good governance.

Football belongs to everyone. Its governing institutions must be accountable to the game, its participants, and its supporters. FIFA’s credibility depends upon public confidence that its rules are applied consistently, fairly, and without improper influence.

Sign this petition to support the convening of a FIFA Extraordinary Congress and to allow FIFA’s member associations to democratically determine the future leadership of world football.

References

1. FIFA Statutes – Provisions governing Extraordinary Congresses and the powers of FIFA member associations.
   https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/16d1f7349fa19ade/original/FIFA-Statutes-2024.pdf
2. FIFA Disciplinary Code – Including Article 27 regarding the suspension of sanctions.
   https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/6094262690de769/original/FIFA-Disciplinary-Code-2025.pdf
3. FIFA World Cup Competition Regulations – Regulations governing disciplinary sanctions and player eligibility.
   https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/636f5c9c6f29771f/original/FWC2026_regulations_EN.pdf
4. ABC News – Reported that FIFA stated Balogun’s automatic suspension following his red card “was not able to be overturned or appealed.”  https://abcnews.com/amp/GMA/Culture/us-soccer-star-folarin-baloguns-1-game-red/story?id=134403937
5. The New York Times (5 July 2026) – Reported that President Donald Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino before FIFA suspended the implementation of Balogun’s sanction. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/05/us/trump-fifa-balogun-world-cup.html
6. Associated Press / The Washington Post (5 July 2026) – Reported FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s one-match ban, making him eligible to play against Belgium.
7. Reuters, BBC Sport, Sky Sports, The Guardian, and The New York Times – Reporting over several years on governance, ethics, transparency, and institutional controversies during Gianni Infantino’s presidency.