FIFA president Infantino to attend U14 tournament in Dominican Republic amid leadership dispute

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is set to attend the U14 Boys Challenge tournament in the Dominican Republic this weekend, a move that could be a calculated effort to shore up support amid a growing coalition of European and North American clubs and associations seeking to unseat him. The competition, organised by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and involving 21 voting FIFA members, has attracted scrutiny from senior figures within Concacaf, the regional confederation that is collaborating with UEFA in the push for a leadership change.

Despite Concacaf’s urging that he avoid the event, Infantino has confirmed his plans to attend, citing the opportunity to engage with emerging talent and to reinforce ties with the Caribbean football community. The tournament’s timing and location provide a platform for informal meetings and lobbying, offering Infantino a chance to rally support from smaller associations that may be pivotal in a potential vote of confidence. The decision underscores the president’s willingness to gamble on personal outreach as a strategy to maintain his position in the face of mounting opposition.