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FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in Azerbaijan for the Under-15 World Cup, told the BBC he believes the large majority of world football backs him before the upcoming presidential election. Infantino deflected questions about resigning over the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.

Infantino gave no clear answer on when FIFA would hand UEFA the documents it has requested, saying the papers are subject to a legal process that is being worked on.

Claims backing from member federations

Asked in a BBC interview whether he had considered stepping down after the FFE project, Infantino laughed off the question. Pressed on whether recent calls for his resignation had made him think about leaving the post, Infantino said: "As you know, I was elected by 211 member federations from all over the world."

Infantino said he had just returned from Tokyo, where the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) fully backed him, and had been in Cape Verde, where all African countries voiced support. "I am in contact with all federations everywhere in the world," he said. Infantino added that he respects all views and that member federations decide who becomes president and how FIFA is run.

Disagreement is not a problem

Infantino said bringing different views under one roof is never easy. "There is nothing bad about disagreement. We see it every day in many countries around the world," he said. "Having a disagreement or holding different views is not a problem, but then we need to be able to move forward."

Calls for more frequent dialogue with UEFA

Infantino said relations with UEFA, which have grown tense, require "more frequent" dialogue in order to be repaired. He did not say clearly when FIFA would provide the documents UEFA has asked for, responding that they are subject to a legal process and that work is under way.

UEFA last week demanded that all critical documents related to the FFE be shared by Nov. 2. UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis said FIFA had left "a series of fundamental questions" unanswered.

Election timetable

The candidature process for rivals seeking to face Infantino in the March 2027 election closes on Nov. 18. Infantino has served as FIFA president since 2016.

Key takeaways

• Infantino says the large majority of world football supports him ahead of the FIFA presidential election.
• He cited backing from the Asian Football Confederation and from all African countries after visits to Tokyo and Cape Verde.
• He did not commit to a date for handing UEFA documents on the FFE project, citing a legal process.
• UEFA has demanded the FFE documents by Nov. 2, while candidatures for the March 2027 election close on Nov. 18.