FIFA: Norway calls for Gianni Infantino’s resignation, CAF maintains its support.

The president of the Norwegian Federation, Lise Klaveness, stated that her organization would “now” ask Gianni Infantino to step down. This announcement came the day after a meeting of the governing bodies of Norwegian football that focused on the situation of the FIFA president.

According to Lise Klaveness, Gianni Infantino no longer has the “necessary institutional trust” to lead FIFA in the current context. “There is no going back for Gianni Infantino,” she added during a press conference.

Elected as FIFA president in 2016, the Italo-Swiss is, at this point, the only declared candidate for his own succession. To be re-elected, he will need to secure a majority of votes from the 211 member federations of the organization.

The dissent has intensified following the abandonment of the project to bring private investors into the capital or funding of certain FIFA activities. The world body issued an apology on Wednesday but failed to quell the criticisms that have notably come from Europe.

UEFA Maintains Pressure

On Thursday, August 6, the European Football Union (UEFA) maintained its threat to boycott certain FIFA competitions. The European body, which comprises 55 federations, reminded that its members had set specific conditions regarding their participation in international competitions.

Several European federations, including those of Finland, Serbia, Sweden, Wales, and Denmark, have already publicly stated that they will not support Gianni Infantino in the March 2027 vote. The private investment project has officially been abandoned, but this decision has not been enough to ease relations between FIFA’s leadership and part of European football.

CAF, an Important Electoral Support

In this context, CAF remains an essential ally for the FIFA president. Meeting in an executive committee on Thursday evening, the pan-African organization “unanimously reaffirmed its support” for Gianni Infantino. CAF also welcomed the apologies from the FIFA leader. However, it stressed the need to adhere to governance, regular procedures, and transparency, which it considers to be “essential and non-negotiable” principles.

With 54 federations affiliated to FIFA, CAF constitutes the second electoral block of the organization, behind UEFA. Its support could therefore weigh during the election, even if the outcome will depend on the position of all confederations and member federations.

Africa is also among the primary beneficiaries of development programs financed by FIFA. In October 2025, Gianni Infantino indicated that the world body had transferred approximately $1.28 billion to CAF through various solidarity mechanisms since he took office in 2016.

The president of CAF, Patrice Motsepe, thanked Gianni Infantino for his support of African football development. The confederation has not, however, hesitated to remind him of its demands regarding governance and transparency.