FIFA's president held off an internal revolt. Next up is a hotly contested election

FIFA president Gianni Infantino leaves after attending a Women AFCON 2026 soccer match between Malawi and Zambia, in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo)

The FIFA logo is seen at the entrance of FIFA headquarters, in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (Andreas Becker/Keystone via AP)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, center, speaks to FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, left, sitting beside president of Moroccan Royal Football Federation Fouzi Lekjaa as they attend a Women’s AFCON 2026 soccer match between Malawi and Zambia, in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino attends a Women’s AFCON 2026 soccer match between Malawi and Zambia, in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — FIFA president Gianni Infantino held off the potential of an internal revolt during a summit meeting in Morocco this week. A scathing response from European soccer’s governing body on Thursday, however, showed that he still has a fight on his hands to hold onto power.