Mexico and Argentina have thrown their weight behind Gianni Infantino, handing the FIFA president a timely boost as football&#39;s governing body continues to deal with the fallout from its controversial commercial rights proposal.

The proposal, which has since been withdrawn, triggered criticism from several football organizations over concerns surrounding governance and decision making inside FIFA. While the issue has divided confederations across the world, support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino continues to grow in key regions.

Mexico&#39;s Football Federation chose a different path from CONCACAF, its regional governing body, which recently demanded a broad review of Infantino&#39;s leadership. Instead, the federation praised FIFA&#39;s institutional framework and said football&#39;s development should remain the priority for all 211 member associations.

Argentina&#39;s Football Association also issued a strong endorsement ahead of next year&#39;s FIFA Congress in Morocco, where Gianni Infantino is widely expected to seek a fourth term. In its message, the AFA credited FIFA&#39;s leadership over the past decade for strengthening governance and expanding football development across the globe.

<h2>FIFA Divisions Continue to Widen</h2>

The latest statements underline how divided world football has become. The Confederation of African Football has also reaffirmed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, adding another influential voice behind the current administration.

Elsewhere, opposition remains firm. <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/uefa-maintains-the-world-cup-boycott-threat-in-latest-statement/7421-5-0">UEFA</a> has maintained its boycott of FIFA competitions, while the Asian Football Confederation has expressed solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF over governance concerns. South America&#39;s <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/conmebol-criticizes-fifa-decisions-under-gianni-infantino/7416-7-0">CONMEBOL</a> has taken a more measured position, insisting that any move to remove the FIFA president must be decided through a vote involving all 211 member associations.

FIFA recently apologized to its members over mistakes linked to the commercial rights proposal and promised to strengthen its internal processes. Even so, the controversy has exposed growing political divisions inside world football.

With the FIFA Congress approaching, alliances are becoming increasingly important. The public backing from Mexico, Argentina and CAF has strengthened Gianni Infantino&#39;s position, but resistance from several influential football bodies ensures the leadership debate is far from over.

Mexico and Argentina have backed Gianni Infantino despite FIFA's latest controversy, exposing fresh divisions before next year's Congress.

FIFA Split Deepens As Mexico and Argentina Back Gianni Infantino

CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, recently welcomed FIFA&#39;s decision to scrap its private investment proposal. At the same time, the body said it remained concerned about FIFA&#39;s strategy under Gianni Infantino, who has taken several unilateral actions during the last few years.

CONMEBOL is generally regarded as a close supporter of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. However, its comments reflect the concerns raised by other football confederations, which said they were not informed in advance about the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/fifa-investment-plan-uefa-fifa-dispute-global-backlash/7297-7-0">investment proposal</a> that FIFA withdrew on Saturday.

&quot;In light of the events affecting the football family, the CONMEBOL Council, meeting today, welcomes FIFA&#39;s decision to withdraw the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal,&quot; said the confederation&#39;s statement.

&quot;The Council also unanimously expresses its concern regarding the repeated unilateral actions taken without resorting to dialogue or to the institutional mechanisms established to address situations of this nature.&quot; added the statement.

CONMEBOL, which backed Infantino&#39;s bid for another term as FIFA president earlier this year, said the controversy had taken attention away from what it described as an &quot;extraordinary&quot; World Cup.

&quot;Within a matter of days, football has gone from being at the center of global attention due to the staging of an extraordinary sporting event to becoming the focus of public debate on matters related to its governance,&quot; said the confederation&#39;s statement.

However, CONMEBOL made it clear that it would not back any effort to remove Infantino before the FIFA presidential election in Rabat next March.

Infantino&#39;s critics could still try to force him out by securing enough support for a vote of no confidence, which would require FIFA to hold an extraordinary Congress.

&quot;On 18 November, 2026, the deadline for submitting candidacies for the FIFA presidency will expire.&rdquo; said the confederation&#39;s statement.

&quot;Thereafter, the FIFA Congress will elect, through the votes of its 211 member associations, the person who will lead the organization during the next term, including overseeing the organization of the FIFA Centennial World Cup 2030.&rdquo; added the confederation&#39;s statement.

&quot;Accordingly, CONMEBOL will not support any action or procedure that disregards or departs from those institutional mechanisms.&quot; concluded the statement.

CONMEBOL welcomed FIFA's decision to drop its private investment plan, but raised concerns over Gianni Infantino's leadership and repeated unilateral actions.

CONMEBOL Voices Concern Over FIFA's Independent Decision-Making

Real Madrid appear ready to end months of uncertainty surrounding <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/real-madrid-ended-vini-jr-renewal-saga/7331-5-0">Vinicius Junio</a>r after fresh negotiations moved both sides to the brink of a long-term agreement. The latest developments have dealt a major setback to Arsenal, who had quietly positioned themselves as serious contenders for one of football&#39;s biggest transfers.

The latest round of discussions took place at Real Madrid&#39;s training complex, where club officials met directly with the Brazilian winger and his representatives. Those talks reportedly produced significant progress, with the Spanish champions improving their financial offer and strengthening confidence that an agreement is now within reach.

The proposed package is expected to make Vinicius one of the club&#39;s highest-paid players, with reports suggesting an annual salary worth around &pound;18.5 million. That revised offer has shifted momentum firmly in Madrid&#39;s favour after negotiations first began in early 2025.

Arsenal had remained optimistic for months. The Premier League side were willing to meet the player&#39;s earlier salary expectations and believed they had a genuine opportunity if negotiations stalled. Instead, Vinicius Junior contract extension discussions have accelerated at exactly the right moment for Real Madrid.

<h2>Romano confirms breakthrough after decisive meeting</h2>

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that the meeting involving Vinicius, his Roc Nation representatives and Real Madrid executives brought both parties remarkably close to a final agreement.

According to Romano, the club always wanted to resolve the situation before it became the dominant story of the transfer window. That objective now appears within touching distance.

The growing optimism arrived only hours after Vinicius surprised millions of supporters by deleting every post from his Instagram account. With nearly 64 million followers watching, the sudden social media wipe sparked fresh speculation that an exit could be imminent.

Instead, the move now looks unlikely to signal a departure.

Manager Jose Mourinho reportedly views the Brazilian as one of the key figures for the upcoming campaign and has backed the club&#39;s efforts to secure his future. His influence behind the scenes is believed to have strengthened Madrid&#39;s position during the latest discussions.

For Arsenal, the outcome represents a frustrating end to an ambitious pursuit. Manager Mikel Arteta recently admitted his squad would continue searching for reinforcements before the transfer window closes, but Real Madrid transfer news now points firmly toward Vinicius remaining in Spain.

While paperwork has yet to be completed, all signs indicate the deal is entering its final stages. Unless negotiations take an unexpected turn, Real Madrid transfer news is set to deliver the outcome the club has wanted all along, with Vinicius expected to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu for years to come.

Vinicius Junior is close to signing a new Real Madrid contract, leaving Arsenal's ambitious transfer pursuit on the verge of collapse.

Vinicius Rejects Arsenal As Real Madrid Seal New Contract Deal

Lionel Messi added another remarkable chapter to his career after scoring twice in Inter Miami&#39;s 4-2 win over Atletico San Luis in the opening round of Leagues Cup 2026 on Wednesday.

The Argentine captain entered the night with a chance to rewrite tournament history and did exactly that. His two goals lifted his overall tally to 14, making him the highest scorer the competition has seen since its launch between Major League Soccer and Liga MX clubs.

<a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/lionel-messi-returns-in-inter-miami-vs-columbus-crew-draw/7344-7-0">Inter Miami</a> faced an early setback when David Rodriguez found the net in the fourth minute. The visitors looked sharp, but their advantage lasted only seven minutes before Messi calmly brought Miami level with a precise finish.

Momentum shifted quickly. Telasco Segovia put the home side ahead in the 26th minute after a flowing attacking move, giving Miami complete control before the interval.

Messi struck again moments before half-time, extending the lead with another clinical finish. Deep into stoppage time, Brazilian defender Micael added a fourth goal, leaving Atletico San Luis with a mountain to climb.

Rafa Llorente managed to score after the break, but the visitors never seriously threatened a comeback as Inter Miami comfortably saw out the contest.

The latest milestone adds another memorable achievement to Messi&#39;s growing legacy with the Florida club. He played a key role in guiding Inter Miami to the inaugural title in 2023, and his latest performance suggests he remains central to the club&#39;s ambitions in Leagues Cup 2026.

Elsewhere in the competition, FC Dallas defeated Queretaro 2-0, while Leon edged Nashville 1-0 to begin their campaigns with valuable victories.

The tournament has only just begun, yet <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/watch/fifa-2026-lionel-messi-silver-boot-winner/13382890">Lionel Messi</a> has already provided its biggest headline, setting a record that could stand for years.

Lionel Messi struck twice as Inter Miami defeated Atletico San Luis 4-2, becoming the all-time leading scorer in Leagues Cup history.

Leagues Cup 2026 Begins with Lionel Messi Record-Breaking Brace

FIFA has rejected reports suggesting President <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/sorry-you-were-consumed-by-hate-infantino-hits-back-at-critics/7250-5-0">Gianni Infantino</a> contacted United States President Donald Trump or officials from his administration following the collapse of a proposed World Cup commercial rights investment plan. FIFA described the claims as &ldquo;pure fiction&rdquo; in a statement issued to Reuters.

The governing body responded after a report claimed Infantino had attempted to seek support from the US administration after the proposal was withdrawn. FIFA said no such communication had taken place in recent days.

&ldquo;The FIFA President has not made any call to the U.S. President, or any members of his administration, in recent days. It is pure fiction,&rdquo; FIFA said in its statement.

The controversy follows the decision to abandon a plan that would have seen FIFA sell around a 20% stake in a new commercial entity managing competitions, including the World Cup. The proposal was aimed at attracting private investment and generating up to $4.2 billion but faced opposition from several stakeholders.

<h2>Pressure Increases After Commercial Plan Collapse</h2>

The failed initiative has increased scrutiny around Infantino&rsquo;s leadership as he prepares for a potential bid for another term as FIFA president. The setback has raised questions over the future of the commercial strategy and its impact on his position within football&rsquo;s governing structure.

Infantino has maintained a close relationship with Trump in recent years, with both figures appearing together at major football events. Their public association included the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States and preparations surrounding the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026/444/1">2026 FIFA World Cup</a>, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The relationship also drew attention after Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December 2025, naming him the first recipient of the award.

Further scrutiny emerged because Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, had been linked with the proposed commercial rights venture. Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, Trump&rsquo;s son-in-law.

FIFA has continued to deny any political involvement in the aftermath of the failed investment proposal, while Infantino faces pressure to address concerns surrounding the organisation&rsquo;s commercial direction.

FIFA denied Infantino-Trump report, calling claims that Gianni Infantino sought Donald Trump's help after a $4.2B World Cup deal collapsed pure fiction.

FIFA Denied Infantino-Trump Report on Failed World Cup Deal

MIAMI: Lionel Messi returns to competitive action but Inter Miami CF were unable to celebrate with a victory, conceding late in a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew at Nu Stadium on Saturday. The result leaves Miami frustrated after leading twice during an entertaining MLS encounter.

The Argentine forward was not included in the starting lineup and made his first appearance since Argentina&#39;s <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/spain-dominate-argentina-lamine-yamal-first-world-cup-win/7118-7-0">World Cup final</a> defeat when he entered the match shortly after halftime. His introduction was greeted with a standing ovation from the home crowd, and he nearly made an immediate impact, sending a left-footed effort narrowly wide after linking up with Luis Suarez.

<h2>Miami fail to protect two leads</h2>

Before <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/messi-joins-miami-training-after-world-cup-duty/7301-7-0">Messi&#39;s arrival</a>, Suarez had already played a decisive role in Miami&#39;s attacking display. The veteran striker opened the scoring with a long-range finish and later created the hosts&#39; second goal, providing the assist for Noah Allen just before the break.

Columbus, however, responded on both occasions. An own goal by debutant Casemiro brought the visitors level for the first time, while Brais M&eacute;ndez rescued a point with a free-kick late in the second half to ensure the Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew contest ended all square.

<h2>Hoyos praises squad despite dropped points</h2>

Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos admitted his side missed the chance to secure all three points but highlighted the commitment shown throughout the match.

&quot;I want to thank the squad for the effort they&#39;ve put in,&quot; he said.

&quot;I want to publicly thank Leo and Rodri for being here; that has been truly important for us. I also want to acknowledge the sustained effort everyone is making throughout the game, a league that is fiercely contested and requires hard work.&quot;

Although the draw denied Miami a winning return for Messi, the 39-year-old&#39;s comeback provided a positive boost as the club prepares for the next phase of its MLS campaign.

Lionel Messi returns off the bench, but Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew ends in a dramatic 2-2 draw after a late equalizer at Nu Stadium.

Lionel Messi Returns in Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew Draw

FIFA has moved to calm growing unrest after its proposed commercial restructuring triggered one of the biggest political disputes in world football in recent years.

The governing body issued a strong statement rejecting claims that the FIFA World Cup was being put up for sale. Officials insisted reports surrounding the proposed FIFA private equity venture had created confusion and stressed that no deal would move forward without approval from member associations.

According to FIFA, the consultation process had been overshadowed by inaccurate reporting, leading to widespread criticism before members had the opportunity to review the proposal.

&quot;The FIFA World Cup belongs to football,&quot; the organization effectively argued through its statement, adding that existing commercial operations would remain unchanged if members declined to support the new FIFA Forward Enterprise.

<h2>UEFA and Concacaf Push Back Against FIFA Proposal</h2>

The reassurance did little to ease tensions.

<a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/uefa-threatens-to-boycott-world-cup-over-fifa-investment-plans/7312-5-0">UEFA</a> announced that its member associations would refuse to take part in FIFA competitions if the governing body pursued the investment proposal. European football leaders argued that the game&#39;s biggest competitions should never become financial assets for outside investors.

Concacaf soon echoed similar concerns. Its members questioned the speed of the process, the limited consultation and the absence of approval through FIFA&#39;s established governance channels. Officials also challenged the need for external investment after recent World Cups generated record revenues.

The proposed venture would create a commercial company valued at around $20 billion, with private investors owning up to a 20 percent stake. Reports identified a New York investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner as the lead investor.

To encourage support, FIFA reportedly offered to double guaranteed funding for each member association from $10 million to $20 million during the next funding cycle. Long-term projections suggested significantly larger financial distributions through 2038 if the proposal received approval.

Resistance, however, has spread beyond Europe.

The Asian Football Confederation also raised concerns, warning member nations that the proposal could weaken the balance between FIFA and continental confederations while creating uncertainty around future competitions.

Despite mounting opposition, FIFA maintains that every one of its 211 member associations deserves an equal voice before any decision is reached. The organization insists FIFA private equity remains only a proposal under consultation and says FIFA World Cup competitions will continue under the existing structure unless members collectively choose a different direction.

FIFA insists the World Cup is not for sale after UEFA, Concacaf and other football bodies strongly oppose its proposed private equity venture.

FIFA Rejects Sale Claims Amid World Cup Investment Backlash

European football&rsquo;s governing bodies have taken a strong stand against FIFA&rsquo;s proposed <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/fifa-investment-plan-uefa-fifa-dispute-global-backlash/7297-7-0">investment plans</a>, with all 55 member associations agreeing to consider a World Cup boycott if the proposal goes ahead. The plan involves FIFA allowing private investors to buy stakes in its competitions.

The matter was discussed during a special emergency meeting after FIFA revealed the proposal earlier this week. The meeting was held to decide the next steps following the announcement from football&rsquo;s world governing organisation.

Concacaf has also opposed FIFA&rsquo;s idea, with all 41 of its member associations rejecting the proposal introduced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The organisation, which represents football in North and Central America, made the decision after holding a meeting on Thursday. Sources have also indicated that several Concacaf nations are becoming increasingly unhappy with Infantino&rsquo;s leadership.

UEFA had previously expressed its concerns through two strongly worded statements, and the latest developments have further shown the growing disagreement between European football officials and FIFA.

&quot;The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product.&rdquo; said the UEFA statement.

&quot;It is one of football&#39;s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.&quot; added the statement.

UEFA&rsquo;s boycott threat would apply to all FIFA tournaments, including the men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s World Cups as well as the Club World Cup. The move would only happen if FIFA president Gianni Infantino&rsquo;s proposals receive approval from member associations.

The first major event where this decision could have an impact is the Women&rsquo;s World Cup play-offs scheduled for October.

During UEFA&rsquo;s meeting, FA chairwoman Debbie Hewitt and chief executive Mark Bullingham were among the officials who spoke about the issue. The mood of the meeting was reportedly very tense, showing the strong opposition to FIFA&rsquo;s plans.

Although Debbie Hewitt holds the position of one of FIFA&rsquo;s eight vice-presidents, she was reportedly unaware of the discussions taking place between Infantino and other officials regarding the proposals. This further shows that Infantino wants to take such drastic step unilaterally without taking other stakeholders into confidence.

UEFA has strongly opposed FIFA’s investment plans, with European football associations considering a World Cup boycott if the proposal to involve private investors moves forward.

UEFA Warns of World Cup Boycott Amid FIFA Investment Plan Dispute

Lionel Messi has resumed work with Inter Miami CF after his World Cup campaign with Argentina, providing the MLS club with a timely boost ahead of a demanding stretch of domestic and regional competitions. Messi&#39;s return to training comes 10 days after Argentina&#39;s defeat to Spain national football team in the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026/444/1">2026 FIFA World Cup</a> final.

Inter Miami shared footage from the session showing Messi back on the training pitch alongside former Barcelona teammate Luis Su&aacute;rez. It was the first time the Argentine captain had been involved with the club since concluding international duty in New Jersey.

<h2>Focus Shifts Back to Club Football</h2>

Messi joins Miami training after the World Cup update follows a short period away from football, during which the 39-year-old spent time with his family in Rosario after Argentina fell short of defending their world title.&nbsp;

Shortly after the final, Messi reflected on the defeat, writing: &ldquo;The pain is immense, and it&rsquo;s going to take a long time for this wound to heal.&rdquo;

Despite returning to the club&#39;s training base, there is still no confirmation on when Messi will feature in a competitive fixture. His international teammate Rodrigo De Paul has also rejoined the squad after receiving additional time off following the World Cup.

Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos had previously stressed the need for patience after the tournament.

&ldquo;They need the time,&rdquo; Hoyos said. &ldquo;A World Cup is a massive undertaking; there is physical and mental exhaustion. They deserve the space.&rdquo;

<h2>Miami Schedule Awaits Messi&#39;s Return</h2>

Inter Miami are scheduled to face Columbus Crew on Saturday before opening their Leagues Cup campaign against Atl&eacute;tico de San Luis next week. The club has yet to announce whether Messi will be available for either fixture.

Major League Soccer granted Messi and De Paul permission to miss this year&#39;s MLS All-Star Game because of their recent World Cup commitments. The pair were exempted despite league rules that normally require selected players to participate.

Also read: <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/lionel-messi-net-worth-2026-salary-contract-and-billionaire-status/5669-7-0">Messi net worth 2026</a>.

Lionel Messi return to training confirmed as Messi joins Miami training after World Cup duty ahead of Inter Miami’s clash with Columbus Crew.

Messi Joins Miami Training After World Cup Duty

MANCHESTER: In a major development for the latest <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/manchester-city-rodri-contract-real-madrid-transfer-update/7265-7-0">Manchester City</a> transfer news, the club has stepped up its pursuit of French football&#39;s brightest teenage prodigy, Ayyoub Bouaddi. Following intense 24-hour talks, the Premier League champions have submitted Manchester City&#39;s new official bid to Lille, with a deal now described as &quot;close&quot; as crucial negotiations enter their final stages.&nbsp;

City management is pushing aggressively on both the club and player sides to secure one of European football&rsquo;s most highly-rated midfield prospects before rival teams can hijack the move.

<h2>Breakthrough in Negotiations</h2>

City&rsquo;s newly appointed Sporting Director, Hugo Viana, has been leading the charge behind the scenes. He remains in constant communication with Lille President Olivier L&eacute;tang to finalize the intricate payment structure of the deal. While several elite European clubs have monitored the player over the past twelve months, Manchester City&rsquo;s aggressive pursuit has successfully moved them to the absolute front of the queue.&nbsp;

Sources close to the negotiations indicate that the final details regarding the fixed transfer fee and performance-related add-ons are being settled today.

<h2>Personal Terms and Future Plans</h2>

On the player&#39;s side, advanced discussions have yielded a verbal agreement in principle. Ayyoub Bouaddi is ready to commit his long-term future to the Etihad Stadium project on a contract running until June 2031.A final point of discussion between the two clubs remains the immediate competitive future of the 18-year-old.&nbsp;

City management is currently weighing two distinct developmental pathways:

<ul>
	<li>Immediate Integration: Bringing the midfielder directly into the squad for training.</li>
	<li>Developmental Loan: Allowing him to remain at Lille on a season-long loan to guarantee regular first-team minutes.</li>
</ul>

<h2>A Rising Star</h2>

The young midfielder has enjoyed a meteoric rise in Ligue 1. He originally became the youngest player in Lille&rsquo;s history when he debuted at just 16 years old. Known for his press-resistance, mature decision-making, and exceptional progressive passing, he fits the exact profile of a modern midfielder.&nbsp;

Club scouts view him as a long-term successor in the engine room, capable of operating both as a deep-lying playmaker and a box-to-box midfielder. The clubs are now actively exchanging documents.&nbsp;

An official announcement regarding Manchester City&#39;s new official bid to Lille is expected once the final payment structures are signed off, marking a massive win for this window&#39;s Manchester City transfer strategy.

Manchester City submitted an official bid to Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi, closing in on the 18-year-old midfielder as talks reach final stages.

Man City Submit Official Bid to Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi

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