FIFA Council Member Ahmed Yahya backs Infantino to continue leading World Football
David GOMBE
FIFA Council Member and Mauritanian Football Federation President Ahmed Yahya has thrown his weight behind Gianni Infantino, insisting the FIFA President remains the right person to lead world football.
Yahya was speaking to the media in Zurich on Wednesday, October 15, 2026, following the FIFA Council meeting.
The Mauritanian FA boss revealed that the contentious FFE proposal was finally withdrawn, with Infantino apologizing to members of the Executive Committee.
“After finally withdrawing this proposal, President Gianni Infantino apologised to the members of the Executive Committee. This was followed by a responsible debate, during which this issue was more or less shelved,” Yahya said.
“And I believe that, in the interests of football, the FIFA Council is looking ahead and seeking solutions, above all with a positive attitude, by focusing on the good aspects that football has to offer today and trying to move forward.”
Yahya pointed to FIFA’s improved financial support to Member Associations as evidence of Infantino’s leadership, citing a proposal to grant all associations USD 25 million spread over four years.
“And today, a proposal was on the table to grant all associations USD 25 million dollars. Spread over four years, that is 25 times what was available 10 years ago,” he noted.
“And that’s because there have been good ideas, such as the 48-team World Cup, which was initially contested by some but has proved vital for world football, and perhaps further projects will follow, but the key point for us is that we see Gianni as the right person to continue leading football.”
The FIFA Council member, who hails from Africa, credited Infantino for driving football development globally, especially through the expanded 48-team World Cup format.
“I’ve said that President Gianni Infantino is taking football forward worldwide. I come from the African continent and know what I’m talking about. He wants to promote football; he wants everyone to be involved, and that is precisely why we expanded the World Cup to 48 teams – and that is exactly what has delivered results.”
“And these financial resources, which you are downplaying, can enable young people today to play football on grass pitches rather than on stony or gravel-covered pitches, and that is precisely what matters. It is our responsibility on the FIFA Council to develop football further, but of course whilst upholding ethical standards and complying with FIFA’s statutes and rules.”
Yahya defended FIFA’s principle of equality, warning against any move that would give richer nations veto rights or widen the gap between developed and developing football nations.
“For us, equality is what defines FIFA today: that all countries are equal. When we go to the FIFA Congress, everyone has an equal vote, just as funding is the same for all countries around the world. For me, it is sacrosanct at FIFA that we uphold this equality.”
“If other considerations were taken into account, it could happen that some countries were granted veto rights. Or that countries which are already richer might be made even richer, whilst others, which are poorer, become even poorer. And I believe that FIFA’s current system is the best way to continue driving the development of football forward.”
On calls for reforms from Europe, Yahya said the Council remains open to reforms but insisted they must be applied at all levels.
“Listen, one of the good things about football is its democracy. And the Europeans – some of them have an opinion, others do not. And it is true that our friends, our European brothers, want reforms within FIFA, but we too are calling for: If reforms are to be carried out at FIFA, then they must take place at all levels – at the level of our associations, at the level of the confederations, and, of course, at the level of FIFA itself.”
“But this is clear: President Gianni Infantino and the members of the Council are completely open to reforms today and to anything that can improve world football and make the organisation more democratic, even better organised and better managed.”
Yahya concluded: “I am certain that Gianni Infantino is the right president. The majority want Gianni Infantino to stay.”
For starters, the FIFA Council is the main strategic and decision making body of Federation of International Football Association (FIF)