- England Join Wales In Withdrawing Support For FIFA President Infantino
- FIFA abandoned its controversial World Cup private investment proposal.
- Growing opposition could threaten Infantino’s fourth term bid.
England’s Football Association is reportedly set to join Wales in withdrawing its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s bid for re election, following growing backlash over a now abandoned World Cup investment proposal.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the development comes after FIFA dropped plans to raise up to $4.2 billion through the sale of a 20 per cent stake in a new commercial entity that would oversee competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. The proposal was shelved on Friday after facing strong opposition from football stakeholders and continental governing bodies.
According to reports, the English FA is no longer willing to back Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president from 2027 to 2031.
Wales became the first national football association to officially withdraw its support, accusing Infantino of failures in governance, leadership, stakeholder management and decision making.
In a statement, the Football Association of Wales said the FIFA president had lost its confidence, adding that it could no longer support his continued leadership of world football.
Pressure on Infantino has also intensified after UEFA and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) reportedly expressed concerns over his leadership following the failed investment proposal.
Infantino, who became FIFA president in 2016 after succeeding Sepp Blatter, announced in April that he would seek a fourth term in office. While his re election had previously appeared certain, the growing opposition could complicate his campaign ahead of the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March 2027.
According to Reuters, the controversy has exposed increasing dissatisfaction among some FIFA members, raising fresh questions about Infantino’s chances of securing another term without opposition.
