Zurich, August 24, 2026: A group of former international footballers, including World Cup winners and FIFA legends, has called for immediate structural change at world football’s governing body, accusing its leadership under President Gianni Infantino of losing sight of the sport’s core values.
The group, which includes several high-profile former players, said football needed a new direction and called for greater representation of players and fans in the way the sport is governed.
Infantino has faced mounting pressure to resign after abandoning a proposal to establish a commercial entity for FIFA tournament rights and sell a 20 percent stake to private investors.
The Swiss administrator, who has led FIFA since 2016, has shown no indication that he intends to step down despite opposition from several of FIFA’s confederations, including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF.
Regional football leaders are also discussing the possibility of seeking a vote of no confidence against Infantino ahead of next year’s presidential election, according to senior figures familiar with the discussions.
“We share the exact same concerns as the millions of fans around the world,” said the former players in a joint statement.
“Like them, we have watched the game we love drift away from its core values under FIFA’s current leadership. Change is necessary. Power has blurred the current leadership’s ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football,” they said.
The group includes France’s 1998 World Cup winners Emmanuel Petit, Bixente Lizarazu and Robert Pires, former United States women’s world champion Briana Scurry and former England international Lucy Bronze.
Other prominent names backing the call include former Peru forward Claudio Pizarro, former Argentina international Juan Sebastian Veron, former Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor, and FIFA legends Didier Drogba and David James.
FIFA legends are former players recognised for their contributions to football who participate in promotional activities for the governing body, including exhibition matches and social and charitable initiatives around the world.
The former players called on football’s wider stakeholders to play an active role in determining the sport’s future.
“We call on all stakeholders to step forward and help reshape the future of our sport. There are good people within FIFA who want to rebuild trust, but a new era requires a structural change: a real, direct say for players and fans in how football is run,” they said.
Infantino is expected to seek re-election next year. However, the possibility of a no-confidence vote before the election could significantly increase pressure on his administration.
The former players said supporters and those who play the game should have a meaningful role in its governance.
“Those who step onto the pitch and those who sit in the stands deserve a genuine voice to help reshape football’s future together. For the fans, for the players, and for the good of the game, we will be silent no more,” the group said.
