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Gianni Infantino appears set to continue as FIFA president, with reports indicating he has secured the formal support of over 200 of the organisation’s 211 member associations.

According to a report by The Guardian, Infantino’s backing remains strong despite criticism over the recent controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s red card reversal at the 2026 World Cup. The FIFA chief seems poised to win a fourth term at the organisation’s congress scheduled for March, with only a few national associations yet to submit their letters of endorsement.

Germany stands out as one of the few prominent nations yet to offer its support, although most European federations — along with countries from every other confederation — have already pledged their allegiance to Infantino.

Currently, Infantino is the sole declared candidate ahead of the November 18 nomination deadline, meaning it would require a significant political upheaval to prevent him from extending his presidency. While member associations still have the option to withdraw their support before nominations close, there is little sign that any credible challenger will step forward.

Some football associations have privately expressed feeling pressured by internal FIFA influence to endorse Infantino, even though such lobbying could conflict with FIFA’s own ethics code. Nonetheless, this internal tension has not translated into significant opposition.

The controversy intensified after US President Donald Trump admitted that he had personally lobbied FIFA over Balogun’s red card issued during the match against Bosnia & Herzegovina. However, the fallout from that revelation appears to have done little damage to Infantino’s global support outside parts of Europe.

UEFA has voiced dissatisfaction over FIFA’s handling of the Balogun incident, as well as other recent disputes, including the exclusion of Somali referee Omar Artan from officiating at the World Cup. Behind closed doors, discussions among European federations about fielding a rival candidate continue, but no unified alternative has emerged, leaving Infantino firmly in control of the process.

Infantino’s close association with Trump has become an awkward issue for world football. The FIFA president has often appeared too eager to involve the American leader in footballing matters, creating optics that many within the sport find uncomfortable.

The Balogun affair arguably should have been a moment of reckoning. Allowing political influence to affect disciplinary proceedings undermines the integrity of the game. Football should remain free from political intrusion and from leaders willing to permit such involvement.

For a sport that has always prided itself on transcending political boundaries, Infantino’s readiness to welcome Trump’s involvement has struck many as unnecessary and troubling. Rather than sparking accountability, the scandal has instead been met with overwhelming institutional support — perhaps the most telling verdict of all.