FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth term at the helm of world football is facing increasing scrutiny and withdrawals of support from national associations, just months before the FIFA congress in March.

Once enjoying widespread backing, with over 200 of the 211 FIFA members reportedly expressing support prior to the 2026 World Cup, Infantino’s position has been undermined by a series of controversies.

Controversies fuel withdrawals of support

The Football Association of Wales became the first nation to officially withdraw its support on Monday, issuing a scathing statement. Serbia and Finland have also since pulled their backing, and the English FA is reported to follow suit.

The growing opposition extends beyond recent withdrawals. Several prominent European nations never signed the initial letter of support for Infantino’s re-election. Former Premier League footballer Jan Aage Fjørtoft revealed that Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany were among those who withheld their endorsement.

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The Swedish Football Association, in a statement, declared that “trust in Gianni Infantino’s leadership no longer exists.” Similarly, Denmark chief Jesper Møller stated he “can’t support” the incumbent president.

Two major incidents appear to have fueled this widespread dissent:

• World Cup stake sale: Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors met with fierce opposition, including a threat from UEFA to boycott the tournament. Infantino ultimately scrapped the proposal following intense backlash.

• Balogun red card reversal: FIFA’s decision to overturn USA star Folarin Balogun’s red card against Bosnia & Herzegovina reportedly came after intervention from Donald Trump. Norway FA president Lise Kaveness has been particularly outspoken, revealing last month that Norway would complain to FIFA about the decision and Trump’s role. Kaveness also previously indicated the NFF (Norway Football Federation) intended to support calls for an investigation into the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize.

Governance concerns and calls for change

The planned sale of World Cup stakes drew sharp criticism from leading football federations. DFB president Bernd Neuendorf, representing the German Football Association, slammed Infantino’s handling of the situation. “Gianni Infantino acted unilaterally, without transparency, and ultimately in an irresponsible manner towards the interests of football,” Neuendorf stated, adding, “Together with UEFA and the other confederations, we must ensure that a radically different culture prevails within FIFA. A culture in which decisions are discussed and taken anew by the members within the leadership bodies,” as reported by Agence France-Presse and Goal.com. The DFB reckoned the FIFA president “acted in an irresponsible manner.”

The English Football Association also demanded a “thorough and rigorous review” of FIFA’s governance, throwing its full weight behind UEFA’s stance against the project. French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo branded the project “worrying,” according to Goal.com and RMC network.

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The Football Association of Wales articulated its reasons for withdrawing support with a strong statement: “The Football Association of Wales hereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino, for re-election as FIFA President for the 2027-2031 term. The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement 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.”

With the FIFA congress approaching in March, Infantino, who has been FIFA president since 2016, faces an increasingly challenging path to securing another term amidst growing calls for greater transparency and accountability within world football’s governing body.

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