Zurich: FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing one of the biggest challenges of his leadership as criticism against him continues to grow. Despite increasing calls for his resignation from football figures and political leaders, Infantino has made it clear that he has no intention of stepping down and believes he still enjoys the backing of a majority of FIFA's member associations.

The latest developments come after Infantino held a seven-hour emergency meeting with senior FIFA officials in Rabat, Morocco, to discuss the ongoing crisis surrounding the world football governing body. According to reports, the meeting focused on the growing controversy following the collapse of FIFA's proposal to sell commercial stakes in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.

The commercial proposal reportedly faced strong resistance from several football administrators, national federations and stakeholders, who raised concerns over the long-term implications of bringing private investment into one of the sport's biggest global events. The opposition eventually forced FIFA to abandon the plan, triggering fresh scrutiny of Infantino's leadership.

Despite the setback, sources close to FIFA believe the president remains confident of retaining enough support to continue in office. Much of that backing is understood to come from member associations across Africa, Asia and South America, regions that have consistently supported several of Infantino's reforms during his tenure.

Following the lengthy internal discussions in Morocco, Infantino was seen attending a Women's Africa Cup of Nations match alongside FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, signalling that FIFA's day-to-day operations would continue despite the ongoing controversy.

Pressure on the FIFA president intensified after former Portugal captain Luis Figo publicly demanded his resignation. Figo accused Infantino of damaging the credibility of FIFA's highest office and criticised his leadership in unusually strong terms. The former Ballon d'Or winner argued that the organisation now requires new leadership to restore confidence among football stakeholders.

The criticism has also expanded beyond the football community. Reports indicate that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has joined voices questioning FIFA's recent decisions, adding a political dimension to the controversy. At the same time, reports of disagreements linked to Morocco's role in FIFA-related matters have further increased pressure on the governing body ahead of several major international tournaments.

Political observers believe the involvement of government leaders reflects the growing global influence of FIFA's decisions, particularly as preparations continue for upcoming World Cup events. With football becoming increasingly connected to commercial investment, infrastructure and international diplomacy, developments within FIFA are drawing attention far beyond the sporting world.

Despite the criticism, there is currently no indication that Infantino intends to resign. Officials familiar with FIFA's internal structure note that the organisation's president is elected by its 211 member associations, making continued political support within the Congress crucial for any leadership challenge.

Supporters of Infantino argue that his presidency has expanded football development programmes, increased financial support for member federations and overseen the expansion of several FIFA competitions. They also point to broader participation in international football under his administration.

Critics, however, believe the recent controversies have raised fresh questions about governance, transparency and decision-making within FIFA. The collapse of the commercial investment proposal has become a focal point for those demanding greater accountability from football's governing body.

For now, the FIFA president appears determined to weather the growing criticism. However, with calls for his resignation becoming louder and political scrutiny increasing, the coming months are expected to be significant for both Infantino and the future direction of world football's governing organisation.