Wales and England FAs withdraw support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election
Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, is facing increased scrutiny following the withdrawal of support for his re-election campaign from several national associations. Both the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and the Football Association (FA) in England have formally announced their decision to no longer back Infantino for a fourth term.
The FA’s decision follows the FAW’s earlier announcement to withdraw its support. The FA will communicate its stance to Fifa, having previously endorsed Infantino. This move comes amidst growing pressure on Infantino’s leadership, particularly after controversial plans to sell stakes in Fifa competitions to private investors were scrapped.
Mounting Opposition to Infantino’s Leadership
The FAW confirmed its withdrawal of support for Infantino’s candidature for re-election for the 2027–2031 term. The association cited concerns over what it described as failures in governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications, and sound judgment. The FAW stated that these issues have led to a loss of confidence in Infantino’s ability to lead world football, emphasising that failing to prioritise the best interests of football is unacceptable.
The Football Association of Finland was the first country to withdraw its support last week, indicating a broader trend among European nations. Many more European countries are anticipated to follow suit, with the aim of potentially forcing Infantino’s resignation. Before recent revelations regarding his privately-backed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup, nearly all of Uefa’s 55 member associations, with the exception of five, had expressed their backing for Infantino.
The FA, while previously aligning with Infantino, has consistently condemned his Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme. Publicly and through private representations, the FA has voiced its opposition to the plan. On Saturday, the FA called for a comprehensive review of Fifa’s leadership and governance, with its latest action representing a further escalation of its concerns.
Potential Successors and Future of Fifa Leadership
Should Infantino’s tenure come to an end, several individuals are being considered as potential successors. Among them is Victor Montagliani, the president of Concacaf, the confederation overseeing football in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Montagliani, who was elected in 2016, has a background in governance reform and was instrumental in the organisation of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by three nations.
Montagliani, a former president of Canada Soccer, is fluent in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. He led Concacaf in hosting an expanded Copa America in 2024 and has been noted for his political strength, particularly in navigating discussions around a biennial World Cup proposal. He believes that football’s inherent strength allows it to overcome challenges, stating that the game is larger than any individual or country.
Another prominent figure is Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the president of the AFC. First elected in 2013, Al Khalifa was re-elected unopposed for a fourth term, set to conclude in 2027. Under his leadership, the Asian confederation has seen significant growth, including the expansion of the Asian Cup to 24 teams and the launch of the Women’s Champions League in 2024-25. Al Khalifa has been critical of Infantino’s management of Fifa and has the support of a 46-member confederation, many of whom recognise the substantial financial figures offered by Infantino’s proposed plans.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris St-Germain, also emerged as a significant figure in European football after becoming chairman of the European Clubs’ Association following the collapse of the European Super League in 2021. He oversaw the expansion of the association to over 800 members, with only Real Madrid remaining outside of the largest clubs. Despite his influence, sources close to Al-Khelaifi suggest he is not interested in the Fifa presidency.
Mattias Grafstrom, appointed Fifa secretary general in May 2024, is another individual whose influence has grown within Fifa. Having served as Infantino’s chief of staff since 2016, Grafstrom is seen as a visual presence at the World Cup. However, his close association with Infantino and the sentiment that Fifa’s next president should not be European could be factors against him.
The movement to unseat Infantino is expected to gain momentum, particularly if support from the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf aligns with European opposition. Infantino is scheduled to stand for re-election in March, requiring 106 votes from Fifa’s 211 members to secure a fourth term. Candidates have until 18 November to submit their names for consideration.
The next Fifa president will be confirmed at the organisation’s 77th Congress in Morocco next March.
Source: bbc.co.uk
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
