# Infantino Reportedly Plans to Use Dominican Republic Junior Tournament to Split UEFA-CONCACAF Alliance

> By  · Published 2026-08-21 · Updated 2026-08-21
> https://lesportifplus.com/en/2026/08/21/infantino-reportedly-plans-to-use-dominican-republic-junior-tournament-to-split-uefa-concacaf-alliance/

## Summary
According to The Guardian, FIFA president Gianni Infantino plans to use a junior football tournament in the Dominican Republic to meet federation officials and attempt to break up the growing alliance between UEFA and CONCACAF, two confederations that have taken a united stance against aspects of his leadership at FIFA.

## Key points
- The Guardian reports Infantino will attend a junior tournament in the Dominican Republic
- UEFA and CONCACAF have reportedly formed an alliance opposing Infantino's leadership
- Infantino is said to be seeking to divide CONCACAF federations from UEFA support

[FIFA](https://lesportifplus.com/tag/fifa/) president [Gianni Infantino](https://lesportifplus.com/tag/gianni-infantino/) is reportedly planning to use an upcoming junior football tournament in the Dominican Republic as a venue to undermine the alliance between UEFA and CONCACAF, two confederations that have increasingly opposed his leadership, according to a report by The Guardian. The event is expected to give Infantino direct access to federation officials he hopes to win over.

## What is the alliance Infantino is trying to break?

UEFA, European football’s governing body, and CONCACAF, which oversees North and Central America and the Caribbean, have reportedly formed a united front against certain positions and decisions pushed by Infantino at FIFA. This growing cooperation between two of football’s most influential confederations has been seen as a challenge to his authority and agenda within world football’s governing body.

> Sources close to the matter describe the situation as an attempt by Infantino to peel away support before opposition solidifies further.

## Why a junior tournament in the Dominican Republic?

The youth competition offers Infantino an informal but strategic setting to meet with delegates and officials from various national federations, many of whom hold sway within CONCACAF. By engaging directly with these stakeholders away from the more formal and scrutinized environment of FIFA congresses, he may be seeking to build individual relationships that could fracture the collective stance taken by UEFA and CONCACAF leadership.

Such gatherings have historically served as opportunities for FIFA leadership to conduct behind-the-scenes diplomacy, and observers suggest this tournament could function similarly, allowing Infantino to gauge levels of support or dissent among CONCACAF member associations specifically.

## What could this mean for FIFA’s internal politics?

If Infantino succeeds in dividing CONCACAF federations from their alignment with UEFA, it could significantly reshape the balance of power within FIFA ahead of key decisions and votes. A fractured opposition would weaken the ability of UEFA and CONCACAF to jointly influence FIFA policy, potentially strengthening Infantino’s position going into future organizational and competition-related decisions.

The report from The Guardian did not specify the exact date or name of the junior tournament, nor did it detail which particular federation officials Infantino intends to approach, leaving the full scope of this political maneuvering still unclear.

## Source

- [RMC FOOTBALL](https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/coupe-du-monde/gianni-infantino-va-profiter-d-un-tournoi-junior-en-republique-dominicaine-pour-briser-le-front-de-ses-opposants_AV-202608200610.html) — RMC FOOTBALL

## Sources
- [RMC FOOTBALL](https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/coupe-du-monde/gianni-infantino-va-profiter-d-un-tournoi-junior-en-republique-dominicaine-pour-briser-le-front-de-ses-opposants_AV-202608200610.html)