FIFA tried to sell 21% of its World Cup business. Asia called it deception, then endorsed Infantino.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino gave a rare interview in Baku this weekend, at the first FIFA Under-15 World Cup. 1

Asked whether he had considered resigning over the World Cup sell-off plan, he laughed. 1

He said he had the backing of the "vast, vast majority" of world football, after endorsements from Asia and Africa. 1 The election that decides his future is in Rabat on 18 March 2027, and no one has yet filed to stand against him. 2

In late July FIFA announced a company to hold the commercial and ticketing rights of its competitions, the World Cup among them. 3

21% of that company was to go to private investors. 4

That 21% was priced at $4.2bn, valuing the business at about $20bn; Thrive Capital, Joshua Kushner's firm, led the search for buyers. 35

He told the 211 member associations, football's national federations, they would get $40m each if they backed it, and $20m up front for accepting by 19 September. 6

FIFA withdrew the plan on 1 August. 5

Ten days later the presidents of UEFA, Concacaf and Asia's confederation signed a letter accusing FIFA of breaking trust "through deception". 4 "Leadership in football is not a possession," it said. 4

Those three hold 136 votes between them; Asia is the block that moved.

The Asian confederation's president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, told its congress in Tokyo: "we are ready to move forward, united in your support, Gianni." 7

The two likeliest challengers have ruled themselves out: Victor Montagliani stays at Concacaf, Aleksander Ceferin at UEFA. 28

Ramon Vega, a former Tottenham defender, is the only declared challenger, and needs five associations to nominate him. 2

Only one incumbent has lost a FIFA presidential election: Stanley Rous, in 1974. 2

2 November. UEFA has given FIFA until then to answer 42 questions about the investment plan, the FIFA Peace Prize awarded to Donald Trump, and the red card that USA's Folarin Balogun survived at the World Cup. 6 Debbie Hewitt, the English FA chair and a FIFA vice-president, said that if FIFA fails to answer, "he's not fit to be FIFA president". 6

18 November. Nominations close. 2

18 March 2027. The 77th Congress in Rabat votes on a fourth term running to 2031, and on $3.4bn of extra development money. 89 That takes the 2027-2030 total to $6.35bn, or $25m for each association. 9

UEFA's lawyers are in US courts seeking FIFA's internal documents, with a Swiss criminal complaint threatened. 6