NFF clears air on demand for Infantino to step down as FIFA president

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has debunked reports claiming that it supported calls for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to step down from his position, Soccernet.ng reports.

Infantino has come under intense pressure and criticism in recent days following the 2026 FIFA World Cup after revealing plans to sell minority stakes in FIFA tournaments to private investors.

The FIFA president had attempted to establish a FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would allow private investors to acquire shares in the World Cup and other major FIFA sporting events and subsequently have a role in running the competitions.

Infantino had secretly pushed ahead with the plan without consulting a majority of FIFA's member associations and had also prepared to offer each member association up to $40 million in an attempt to secure their support for the proposal before the September 19 deadline, with hopes that the plan would eventually take shape.

However, the proposal received widespread backlash from several continents and football associations. UEFA publicly voiced its opposition to the plan and threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments if the proposal went ahead, while the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF also rejected the idea.

Several other national football associations equally opposed the proposal, with some calling for Infantino to resign as FIFA president.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and South American football governing body CONMEBOL publicly backed Infantino despite the growing calls for his resignation.

Former NFF president Amaju Pinnick also backed the proposed stake sale, arguing that it could provide financial advantages. 

Following the widespread criticism, FIFA eventually scrapped the proposal, although calls for Infantino to step down have continued.

NFF debunks Infantino resignation claims

Reports had emerged that the NFF had joined the growing list of national football associations calling for Infantino to resign amid the controversy surrounding the proposed sale of stakes in FIFA's tournaments to private investors.

The reports suggested that the NFF had taken the position despite CAF's public support for Infantino.

https://twitter.com/thenff/status/2086096211556049112?s=46

However, the NFF has now moved to clear the air. In a statement published on its official X account, the Nigerian football governing body described the reports as false and insisted that it has never called for Infantino to step down.

“Contrary to reports, especially on social media, @thenff has never asked and is not asking for @FIFAcom President, Mr. Gianni Infantino to step down as FIFA PRESIDENT.

“This is outright falsehood. Kindly disregard.”

All eyes on 2027 FIFA election

Infantino remains FIFA president and has already confirmed that he will stand for re-election in 2027, despite the growing pressure surrounding his leadership in recent weeks.

The Swiss administrator has been involved in several controversies in recent times, including issues surrounding the recently concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup.

One of the major controversies involved the decision to rescind a red card shown to USMNT forward Folarin Balogun, allowing him to remain eligible for their Round of 16 clash against Belgium.

The decision attracted attention after former United States president Donald Trump famously claimed that he had spoken to Infantino about the matter, raising questions over the circumstances surrounding the decision.

The next FIFA presidential election is scheduled to take place in March 2027, when Infantino will seek another term and FIFA's member associations will decide whether he continues to lead world football or whether a new president takes over for the next four-year cycle.