Arab Football Union Publicly Backs Infantino as Pressure Mounts on FIFA President

The Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) has publicly backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino after a board meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The 81st UAFA board meeting was chaired by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal. Officials welcomed recent steps by world football's leaders to build closer ties with national, regional and continental associations. The board also restated its support for Infantino. It praised his ten years in charge, saying he has grown the game around the world, brought the football community together and served players and fans.

The backing comes at a tough time for Infantino. UEFA is leading efforts to remove him after his failed plan to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors, and the Swiss Football Association has also pulled its support.

Prince Abdulaziz opened the meeting by laying out his plans to push Arab football forward at every level. The board approved new supporting committees to guide the union through its 2025-2029 term. It also looked over the calendar for the 2026/27 season, which covers national team tournaments and club competitions.

UAFA Secretary General Dr. Raja Allah Al Sulami gave a report on the body's technical and administrative position. The board went through several new development plans, including the "Challenge and Innovation Initiative." The programme aims to bring modern technology into different parts of Arab football through newly introduced development competitions.

With the committees now in place for the four-year cycle, UAFA is set to start rolling out its technology and structural plans.