Malawians have turned against FIFA president Gianni Infantino as a global backlash grows over his controversial plan to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup.
A Malawi24 poll conducted on Facebook found that 80% of respondents believe Infantino should not remain FIFA president now that the 2026 FIFA World Cup has ended.
Only 17% said he should stay, while 3% were undecided.
Results of the poll, conducted before the World Cup had concluded, mirror a separate poll conducted on the Malawi24 X (formerly Twitter) account.
Since then, opposition to Infantino’s plans has intensified.
On Wednesday, UEFA escalated its attack on FIFA’s proposals, accusing world football’s governing body of trying to pressure member associations into backing the scheme by imposing a deadline linked to a lucrative one-off payment. Critics have described the approach as amounting to bribery or blackmail.
“FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends,” UEFA said in a strongly worded statement. UEFA accused FIFA of holding national associations to ransom by saying they could lose the payout if they failed to support the proposals before the deadline.
The dispute centres on Infantino’s proposal to create a new commercial company that would manage the FIFA World Cup and other major tournaments while allowing outside investors to buy minority stakes.
According to reports, FIFA’s 211 member associations would each receive shares worth millions of dollars under the proposal, while FIFA says the structure would unlock billions for football development worldwide. Critics argue it risks turning the world’s biggest football tournament into a commercial asset controlled by private investors.
The controversy has intensified after reports that FIFA consulted potential investors linked to US businessman Joshua Kushner, while discussions have also reportedly involved figures close to US President Donald Trump’s administration. FIFA has confirmed that Thrive Capital is expected to lead a proposed investor group and that JPMorgan is advising on the project.
UEFA has warned that the proposal “crosses a line” and says football’s governance “is not FIFA’s to sell.”
The governing body now says opposition to the scheme is growing among associations, clubs, leagues, players and supporters, raising the prospect of an unprecedented confrontation between FIFA and European football.
While the Malawi24 poll did not ask respondents about FIFA’s investment proposals, it points to a sharp decline in Infantino’s popularity among Malawian football fans. Four out of every five respondents said they do not want him to remain FIFA president after the 2026 World Cup.
Adding to the pressure, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also condemned FIFA’s proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup. He tweeted:
“Let me say this very directly. Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline, week in, week out, rain or shine.
“The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out. Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.”
The next FIFA presidential election is expected next year, and Infantino has already indicated that he will seek another term. Likely to support his bid are national associations from South America, Africa and Asia.
Neither Football Association of Malawi (FAM) nor Haiya has publicly commented on the growing international opposition to FIFA’s proposal to sell minority stakes in World Cup competitions or on Infantino’s expected bid for another term as FIFA president. As a FIFA member association, FAM will ultimately have a vote on any proposal presented to FIFA’s Congress.
Haiya is widely expected to back Infantino’s proposed controversial World Cup investment plan and support his bid for another term as FIFA president.
