The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has publicly declared its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, breaking ranks with the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) amid growing criticism of his leadership.

Mexico, one of the three co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, announced its position after CONCACAF called for a “comprehensive reckoning” of Infantino’s presidency following his controversial proposal to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.

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In a statement on Friday, the FMF expressed confidence in Infantino’s leadership, saying the FIFA president has continued to promote the development of football through stronger institutions.

“The FMF supports President Infantino’s leadership in continuing to promote the development of football through institutional strengthening,” the federation stated.

The Mexican federation also endorsed the position of South American football governing body CONMEBOL, insisting that any move to remove the FIFA president must be carried out through FIFA’s official electoral process involving all 211 member associations.

“The FMF will neither recognise nor approve any process convened outside of that institutional framework, and it joins the call made by President Infantino to collectively continue developing football for the benefit of the 211 member associations,” the statement added.

Mexico’s stance puts it at odds with CONCACAF, which criticised Infantino’s leadership style and described the abandoned investment proposal as evidence of poor governance.

According to CONCACAF, the proposal was “a symptom of leadership that has stopped putting football first,” adding that it reflected “a pattern of missteps and similar behaviour.”

While CONCACAF has voiced strong concerns, it stopped short of withdrawing confidence in Infantino. UEFA, however, has taken a tougher position, warning that European nations could still consider boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup unless assurances are given that similar investment proposals will not be revisited.

“Assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again,” UEFA said.

The English Football Association has also withdrawn its support for Infantino, with the football associations of Wales, Albania and Croatia similarly distancing themselves from the FIFA president.

Despite the mounting criticism from Europe, Infantino continues to enjoy strong backing from other regions, including the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which recently reaffirmed its unanimous support for his leadership.

Uganda’s football community has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of SC Villa captain and Uganda international David Owori, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a violent ambush near his home in Kampala.

Owori, 27, was reportedly attacked on Tuesday night in the Makindye area as he approached his residence. According to eyewitnesses, a group of suspected robbers assaulted him with paving stones, stole his belongings and fled the scene.

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The footballer was initially taken to a nearby medical centre before being transferred to a private hospital in Kampala, where he later died from his injuries.

Confirming the tragic development on Thursday, SC Villa described Owori’s death as a devastating loss to the club and the country’s football family.

“We have lost more than a player – we have lost a leader, brother and friend,” the club said in a statement.

SC Villa spokesperson Asan Kasingye said the player was attacked close to his home.

“The player was ambushed by thugs as he approached his home, leaving him with life-threatening injuries before he was rushed to the medical facility,” Kasingye said.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident, with Kampala police spokesperson Rachael Kawala confirming that officers had processed the crime scene and were gathering evidence.

“The scene of the incident has been documented and processed to ensure that all relevant evidence is collected and preserved,” Kawala stated.

Popularly known by the nickname “Colgate,” Owori was one of Uganda’s most respected footballers. He captained SC Villa, one of the country’s most successful clubs, and also represented the Uganda national team, the Cranes.

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) paid tribute to the late defender, describing him as a leader who inspired a generation of footballers.

“David was not just a footballer. He was both a leader and an inspiration to a generation,” FUFA said.

Owori returned to SC Villa in 2023 after a spell in Europe and played a crucial role in helping the club secure its 17th Uganda Premier League title in 2024, ending a 20-year wait for the championship.

His outstanding performances earned him a contract extension until 2027.

His death has sparked widespread outrage across Uganda, with supporters, teammates, football officials and political leaders demanding justice and calling for stronger action against violent crime in Kampala.

Team Nigeria delivered a remarkable display at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, producing a world record, a historic gold medal and a hard-fought bronze to underline the country’s growing dominance in athletics.

Leading the charge was para-athlete Goodness Nwachukwu, who successfully defended her women’s F42 discus throw title in spectacular fashion by setting a new world record of 39.66 metres with her final throw.

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The 27-year-old surpassed her previous world record by more than three metres to register her fourth career world record and add another Commonwealth gold medal to her impressive collection.

Wales’ Funmi Oduwaiye settled for silver with a throw of 38.52 metres, while Bree Cronin claimed bronze after recording 36.00 metres.

Reacting to her achievement, an emotional Nwachukwu said, “I feel like I am on top of the world. I feel so great. I feel so wow, I was like, ‘Ah, what?’ and I started shouting.”

She also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their unwavering support, adding, “I love you all and I can’t wait to see you. Love you.”

Nigeria’s celebrations continued in the men’s shot put, where Chukwuebuka Enekwechi made history by becoming the first Nigerian to win Commonwealth Games gold in the event.

The African record holder secured victory with a throw of 21.07 metres, improving on the silver medal he won at the 2018 Commonwealth Games while erasing the disappointment of his fourth-place finish in Birmingham four years ago.

Defending champion Tom Walsh of New Zealand claimed silver with a throw of 21.03 metres, while England’s Scott Lincoln finished with bronze after throwing 20.99 metres.

Meanwhile, world record holder Tobi Amusan displayed determination in the women’s 100m hurdles, clocking 12.60 seconds to claim bronze and extend her Commonwealth Games medal streak to three consecutive editions.

Although she narrowly missed out on a third successive Commonwealth title, Amusan revealed after the race that she had been hampered by a knee injury sustained during Team Nigeria’s training camp in Aberdeen.

The outstanding performances by Nwachukwu, Enekwechi and Amusan capped another memorable day for Team Nigeria, as the athletes combined to deliver medals, history and a world record at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.