How Gianni Infantino will be framing his battle to remain FIFA president

The storm engulfing Gianni Infantino over the World Cup sell-off provides fresh intrigue about an answer he gave me on the eve of the recent tournament.

The FIFA president brought up accusations that FIFA funds are used to curry favour from voters.

But I had only asked about ticket prices rather than his personal power and not suggested an ulterior motive for squeezing so much cash out of fans.

And yet he brought it back to how the FIFA president is elected. All 211 FAs have equal clout. Whether you are Spain - with the highest-ranked men's team - or San Marino as the worst national team in the world.

"I've also heard [people] saying, 'Well this money just goes to the federations to secure power' or stuff like this," Mr Infantino responded to me in June in Mexico City.

"Well, tell me where should the money go otherwise? Where? To finance corrupt practices? I don't think so. It has to go to the federations. It is checked and it is invested to give children hopes and dreams."

He went on to say: "If we accept democracy, we have to accept the one-member one-vote situation …. I know that there was some medieval practice in some parts of the world, and you know which ones, where rich people would have more votes than poor people.

"I don't know if you would like… to go back to that system. Maybe some would like?"

Maybe he was referring to some nations without full democracy today.

Or to Britain in centuries past when the working class were denied the vote.

That would expose Mr Infantino's irritation with being held to account from Britain in particular, decrying moralising.

And Mr Infantino will be framing his battle to remain FIFA president as a European plot, trying to isolate their voices.

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There is a concerted push from UEFA to oust him: from declarations of no confidence, withdrawal of re-election support and threat of legal action against the FIFA president and his associates.

But there is not a united front globally to achieve regime change. The numbers are not there.

Even assuming all 90 members from UEFA and CONCACAF would go against Infantino in a vote of confidence or leadership election next year - reflecting confederation declarations on Saturday - that is far short of the majority of FAs.

So Mr Infantino remains in power, defiant.

There has been no apology or acknowledgement of the criticism of his leadership or the potentially undervalued deal from the European, Asian and North American regions since being forced to abandon the sale of shares in the World Cup.

He has also not gone on the front foot to try to defend his actions and talk up attempts to generate more cash for member associations without the financial might of the European powers in particular.

But even within the UK, we only know of England and Wales officially withdrawing support.

The Swiss are also adopting a cautious approach to their own man, waiting to consult before renouncing backing in the election.

Is it possible Mr Infantino could see this out?

It could mean the presidential election is contested for the first time since Mr Infantino succeeded the discredited Sepp Blatter in 2016, with the Swedish FA confirming UEFA was on the hunt for a candidate.

The annual FIFA congress could end up resembling a national parliament with an opposition dissenting rather than the typically mundane gatherings.

But UEFA is already showing how it intends to undermine Mr Infantino and FIFA by launching an official threat of legal action over the attempt to launch a spinoff company for the World Cup.

There is still a threat for all European nations to boycott FIFA competitions and the Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland a month away.

But it appears Mr Infantino is calling in political favours with endorsements of his leadership coming in particular from Qatar (where he has been based), Lebanon (which gave him citizenship last year) and Morocco (where FIFA has a regional HQ and is a 2030 World Cup co-host).

Has he tried to rally support from Donald Trump, who once hailed him "the King of Soccer"?

There was talk swirling in football circles that Mr Infantino was lining up a call with US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Monday.

Even with Iran top of their agenda, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs Dylan Johnson said there "are no plans" for a call. Was there ever a hope for a call?

For now, we have not heard from Mr Infantino since that statement announcing early on Saturday morning that the $20bn World Cup venture was being scrapped.

If UEFA does not force a vote of no confidence, will Mr Infantino try to fight on until the election?

UEFA is not backing down, and a civil war going on until 2027 could prove unsustainable for football, especially with decisions needed to ratify Women's World Cup hosting - including for the UK in 2035.

Even though Mr Infantino's presidency looks doomed, the entire world is yet to turn on him, making ousting him a tougher battle for UEFA.

(c) Sky News 2026: How Gianni Infantino will be framing his battle to remain FIFA president