Six Arab national football associations have expressed support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, even as major confederations and countries withdraw backing over his failed private investment proposal for World Cup commercial rights.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has secured backing from six Arab football federation heads, including representatives from Qatar and Morocco, as he navigates significant opposition to his leadership. The joint statement from the Arab federations expressed confidence in Infantino's direction of world football and commitment to developing the sport globally, with signatories including Egypt's football federation chief Hany Abo Rida and Qatar's Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Infantino's position has been weakened by a controversial proposal to privatise World Cup commercial rights by selling 20% to investors for approximately $4.2 billion. Three major confederations—UEFA, the AFC, and CONCACAF, representing 136 of FIFA's 211 member associations—publicly condemned the plan and called for his resignation. The proposal was abandoned following widespread backlash, though FIFA subsequently apologised to member associations for its handling of the initiative.

The Arab federations' support indicates that unified opposition to Infantino's reelection, scheduled for March, faces practical obstacles. Individual national federations hold voting power rather than confederations, suggesting block voting may be unlikely despite confederation-level opposition. The Irish Football Association became the latest to withdraw support, citing governance and transparency concerns. The African Football Confederation has meanwhile offered Infantino backing.

For Infantino to secure reelection, he would need 106 votes if facing a single rival, or 141 votes in a first round if three or more candidates compete. His diverse base of support across different football regions indicates the race remains uncertain despite confederation-level hostility to his presidency.