Skip to content
SPORTSBACK
Search
Language: EN
EnglishENEspañolESPortuguêsPTالعربيةAR日本語JA
Football

Footballers call for change at Fifa in message to Infantino

Current and former players have issued a collective warning to the governing body's leadership, declaring that change is necessary.

By Sportsback
Gianni InfantinoGabe Amo · Public domain

A group of current and former footballers has united against Fifa president Gianni Infantino, declaring that "change is necessary" at the global governing body. The collective statement became public on 25 August 2026, but the players behind it have not been identified.

The message is short in its demand for change, yet vague about what that change should involve. No reforms have been listed, no timeframe has been offered, and no alternative vision has been set out. The lack of detail makes the intervention difficult to assess, but it also signals frustration with the status quo under Infantino's leadership.

The collective nature of the statement is its most striking feature. Players rarely speak with one voice on governance issues, and doing so publicly suggests a coordinated effort. Whether this marks the start of a sustained campaign or a one-off declaration remains unclear.

What is not yet known

Gianni InfantinoUnited Nations Office on Drugs and Crime · CC BY 2.0
Gianni Infantino

The identities of the signatories have not been disclosed. It is not known whether they include active internationals, former captains, or leading figures from domestic leagues. The specific grievances behind the call for change are also unreported, as are any plans to present demands to Fifa or Infantino directly.

Infantino has not responded to the statement, and Fifa has not issued a public comment. No date has been set for a follow-up, and there is no indication of how the players intend to press for change. The absence of a clear next step leaves the intervention at the level of a public appeal.

Why it matters

Gianni InfantinoPiotr Drabik from Poland · CC BY 2.0
Gianni Infantino

The importance of the statement lies in its source. When players collectively challenge the leadership of the world governing body, it raises the political temperature around Fifa. The governing body now faces a public demand for change from the very people who make the game. What happens next will depend on whether Infantino engages, whether the players reveal themselves, and whether their message gathers broader support.

Frequently asked questions

Which players have called for change at Fifa?
No specific players have been named. The statement is described as a collective message from a number of current and former footballers.
What change are the players demanding at Fifa?
The players have not listed specific demands. Their statement only says that "change is necessary" at the global governing body.
How has Gianni Infantino responded to the players' statement?
There has been no public response from Infantino or Fifa to the players' statement so far.
When was the players' statement released?
The collective players' statement became public on 25 August 2026.

Related stories