According to GiveMeSport, a significant shift in global football politics is underway, as 13 nations have now publicly declared their opposition to Gianni Infantino’s FIFA presidency. This marks a notable change from a period when the incumbent leader enjoyed the support of over 200 FIFA members, many of whom had sent letters endorsing his re-election.
The majority of this dissent originates from Europe, with 11 UEFA members making their opposition public. These nations include:
- Norway
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Germany
- Wales
- England
- Serbia
- Greece
- Albania
- The Netherlands
- Croatia
Wales was the first FIFA nation to withdraw its support for Infantino. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) issued a strong statement outlining their concerns.
“The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgment have led us to a position where Mr Infantino has lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football. Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept,” the FAW stated.
The growing European discontent follows a period where confidence in Infantino’s leadership waned, particularly after his abandoned plan to sell stakes in FIFA’s major competitions to private investors. UEFA has previously threatened to boycott FIFA competitions in response to various issues.
Jordan’s strong stance and blackmail accusations
Beyond Europe, Jordan stands as the sole non-UEFA member to publicly express opposition to Infantino’s leadership. Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, the chief of Jordan’s football association, has leveled serious accusations of blackmail against the FIFA president.
Prince Ali detailed several grievances, particularly concerning Jordan’s participation in the 2026 World Cup:
- Many Jordanian fans were not granted US visas despite possessing tickets, which Prince Ali noted were sold at “exorbitant prices.”
- The US government was taxing Jordan’s participation through FIFA, imposing “huge costs in taxes” on money intended for players and staff, a situation not faced by teams based in Canada or Mexico.
- Jordan had been awaiting reward money for its players since December for their performance in the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar, where they reached the final.
According to Prince Ali, FIFA had been unresponsive to these issues for months until a verbal communication during the World Cup suggested that endorsing Infantino “would go a long way to helping our FA out.”
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Prince Ali strongly condemned this approach.
“We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now. But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that.”
He further affirmed his unwavering position:
“It does not change my clear position concerning the leadership of FIFA: my FA and I will not endorse President Infantino, nor will we vote for him.”
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FIFA has since paid Jordan the money it was owed.
Shifting allegiances
The current wave of opposition contrasts sharply with the widespread support Infantino previously enjoyed. Former Premier League footballer Jan Aage Fjørtoft revealed that Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany were among the nations that never sent a letter to FIFA backing Infantino’s re-election, indicating an earlier undercurrent of skepticism.
The Norwegian Football Federation’s President, Lise Klaveness, has been a vocal figure in advocating for change within FIFA, even earning praise from former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who suggested she would be a suitable replacement for Infantino.
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