Prime Minister Mark Carney and FIFA President Gianni Infantino listen to speeches during a FIFA World Cup trophy tour event at Lansdowne Park’s Aberdeen Pavilion in Ottawa on May 24.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday he no longer has confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, adding to growing pressure on the soccer leader after his abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup sparked a global backlash.
Mr. Carney said Mr. Infantino committed a “fatal” governance failure by not consulting senior advisers, including FIFA’s chief operating officer and board members.
“I’ve run a few organizations in my time,” Mr. Carney said. “The idea that proper governance is not to disclose to your closest advisers, your chief operating officer, your fellow board members something of consequence that you’re even considering – let alone proposing – that should be fatal.
“Certainly I don’t have confidence in Mr. Infantino.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday he no longer has confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, adding to growing pressure on the soccer leader after his abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup sparked a global backlash.
The Associated Press
Canada co-hosted the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Mexico, and Mr. Carney appeared alongside Mr. Infantino at several tournament events.
He sat in a box with the FIFA president, U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the World Cup final in East Rutherford, N.J., last month and joined the three other leaders on stage to present awards after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time.
Mr. Carney’s comments came days after Mr. Infantino abandoned the proposal after fierce opposition from the Union of European Football Associations, national soccer federations and senior FIFA advisers.
Mr. Infantino had proposed creating a US$20-billion company to run the World Cup with private investors including the Kushner family, but drew backlash.
The 41-member Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has said its members have “deep concerns” about the proposal and “the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies.”
Canada Soccer issued a statement on Wednesday saying it remains aligned with both CONCACAF’s position and Mr. Carney’s comments, and will review the matter at its board meeting next week before determining next steps.
UEFA’s 55 member associations had agreed to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions if the plan moved forward, while the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Asian Football Confederation also opposed it.
Despite Mr. Infantino’s reversal, UEFA said it would work with other confederations to ensure a similar proposal “cannot occur again.”
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Could an Italian-Canadian kid from East Vancouver be the next president of FIFA?
While Mr. Infantino has retained support from some member associations, including 2022 World Cup host Qatar, Mr. Carney’s comments added to the growing criticism of FIFA’s governance.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham last Sunday called Mr. Infantino “the wrong man to lead” world soccer.
FIFA’s next presidential election is scheduled for March in Rabat, Morocco. Candidates have until Nov. 18 to enter the race.
One name that has emerged as Mr. Infantino’s possible replacement is Canadian Victor Montagliani.
The CONCACAF president and FIFA vice-president is from Vancouver and was instrumental in the country’s bid for the 2026 World Cup.
Asked on Wednesday whether he would support Mr. Montagliani taking over as FIFA president, Mr. Carney noted that the decision will be made by world soccer’s governing body, not international politicians.
The prime minister added that he has “tremendous respect” for the former president of Canada Soccer.
“He’s an exceptional individual; he’s a credit to Canada, credit to football,” Mr. Carney said. “He’s done a very good job in his role at CONCACAF … Loves the game. Loves the game.”
With files from The Canadian Press.