According to sources cited by the British The Guardian, at least two presidents of national associations in Africa spoke with Grafström last week. In addition, up to 15 national associations are said to be ready to go against the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and vote out Infantino in next year's elections.
Like Infantino, Grafström has also faced criticism, including from the Norwegian Football Association's chairwoman, Lise Klaveness. This in connection with the firing of FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour after he criticised Infantino. Grafström has also openly supported the chairman in the storm surrounding the now-defunct plan to sell shares in, among other things, the World Cup.
According to The Guardian's sources, however, information that Grafström was initially critical of the plan is the reason why he has now been contacted by top leaders in the African countries.
They believe that Mattias can bring all continents together, a high-ranking source tells the newspaper.
Caf officially declared its support for Infantino in early August after a meeting. However, sources said only four of the executive committee members, including president Patrice Motsepe and vice-president Fouzi Lekjaa, expressed their support during the meeting, with the rest remaining silent.
"People don't want to express their opinion publicly because they want to see what happens," one of the sources said.
+ Uefa (Union of European Football Associations) – 55 FIFA members
Has demanded Gianni Infantino's resignation. Work is underway within Uefa to produce a counter-candidate for the presidential election at the Fifa Congress in March. Several national associations have withdrawn their previously stated support for Infantino.
+ Concacaf (North and Central America and the Caribbean) – 35 FIFA members
Like Uefa, they were strongly critical of the proposal – even after it was dropped.
+ AFC (Asian Football Confederation) – 46 FIFA members
Asia backed both Uefa and Concacaf when the wind blew the most. Has been critical of the fact that the proposal has been developed without being discussed in, for example, the Fifa board. Recently wrote an open letter against the Fifa leadership together with Uefa and Concacaf. However, the national associations in Qatar and Lebanon continue to support Infantino.
+ CAF (Confederation of African Football Associations) – 54 FIFA members
Caf "stands behind" Fifa's apology and maintains its support for Infantino.
+ Conmebol (South American Football Confederation) – 10 FIFA members
Announced that they do not support a vote of no confidence, but are open to alternative candidates for the position of chairman of the congress.
+ OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) – 11 FIFA members
The federation itself continues to support Infantino, but New Zealand has announced that its support for the Swiss has been withdrawn.
