Footballers Demand Change at FIFA Amid Infantino's Criticism

On August 25, 2026, a group of current and former footballers, including Mikael Silvestre, Lucy Bronze, Emmanuel Petit, and David James, publicly demanded changes at FIFA, criticizing Gianni Infantino's leadership. Silvestre, a former Manchester United and France defender, who is part of FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel, published a statement titled “Enough is Enough!” on social media.

The players expressed concerns that major decisions are being made without adequate consideration for players and supporters, particularly criticizing FIFA's controversial plan to sell stakes in competitions like the World Cup to private investors. They argued that the sport has strayed from its core values and called for structural changes to enhance player and fan involvement in governance.

This criticism adds to the challenges facing Infantino, who has faced backlash from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions and expects Infantino to resign or face a challenge in the next election.