Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Samuel Eto'o Backs Infantino Amid FIFA World Cup Plan Backlash
Samuel Eto'o is supporting Gianni Infantino, who leads FIFA.
Infantino has been criticized after a plan to bring private investment into FIFA tournaments was abandoned.
The plan included the World Cup.
Some football organizations are unhappy with Infantino and have discussed stronger action against him.
UEFA and other confederations have questioned FIFA's direction.
Eto'o says Infantino has not done anything wrong.
He believes some of the criticism is connected to the upcoming FIFA election.
Eto'o also says Infantino has helped smaller countries and African football federations.
Samuel Eto'o said FIFA president Gianni Infantino has not done anything wrong despite mounting pressure to resign.
Infantino faced criticism after a private-investment proposal involving FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, was abandoned.
UEFA and other football bodies have raised concerns, while a no-confidence vote against Infantino remains possible.
Eto'o said the backlash was partly driven by political manoeuvring ahead of next year's FIFA presidential election.
The Confederation of African Football unanimously reaffirmed its support for Infantino, whose leadership Eto'o said had benefited African federations.
- Who
- Former Cameroon player Samuel Eto'o is supporting FIFA president Gianni Infantino, while UEFA and other football bodies have criticized FIFA's direction.
- What
- Eto'o backed Infantino after pressure emerged over an abandoned private-investment proposal involving FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
- When
- The criticism has intensified in recent weeks, ahead of next year's FIFA presidential election.
- Where
- The controversy concerns FIFA and its international competitions; Eto'o made his comments to CNN from an article datelined Paris.
- Why
- Eto'o said Infantino had expanded opportunities for smaller nations and helped African federations, while critics objected to the investment plan and FIFA's direction.
Infantino Supporters
Infantino Critics
Leadership record
Infantino Supporters
Eto'o said Infantino has not done anything wrong and has changed football by expanding opportunities for smaller nations and helping African federations develop.
Infantino Critics
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have voiced concerns about FIFA's direction, and Infantino remains under pressure.
Private-investment proposal
Infantino Supporters
Supporters, including Eto'o, continue to back Infantino despite the proposal's collapse and say his overall record deserves recognition.
Infantino Critics
Opponents resisted a proposal to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup; the plan was ultimately abandoned.
Reason for the backlash
Infantino Supporters
Eto'o believes the criticism is driven largely by political manoeuvring ahead of next year's FIFA presidential election.
Infantino Critics
Critics have applied enough pressure that UEFA has threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions and a no-confidence vote remains possible.
- Supporter
- Samuel Eto'o, president of the Cameroonian football federation, said Infantino has not done anything wrong.
- Contested plan
- A proposal to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, was abandoned.
- Opposition
- UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have voiced concerns over FIFA's direction.
- African support
- The Confederation of African Football unanimously reconfirmed its support for Infantino.
- Possible action
- A no-confidence vote against Infantino could be triggered.
- Eto'o's rationale
- He said Infantino had provided smaller nations with more opportunities to participate in major competitions and helped African federations develop.