Wales withdraws support for Infantino re-election, England to follow
The Football Association of Wales has formally withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino‘s re-election as FIFA President for the 2027–2031 term. This decision follows what the Welsh FA described as “failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement.”
A source familiar with the matter indicated that England‘s Football Association will also withdraw its support for Infantino’s re-election bid. This comes as a backlash intensifies against his abandoned plan to sell a stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
Repercussions for Infantino’s Re-election Bid
Infantino’s plan to secure up to $4.2 billion from private investors by selling approximately a 20% stake in a new entity overseeing competitions was met with strong resistance from stakeholders and was ultimately abandoned. This retreat has brought increased scrutiny to his bid for another term as FIFA president.
UEFA, the European governing body, and Concacaf, which manages football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, both stated that they have lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership. UEFA, which opposed Infantino’s plans, sent a document preservation order, a measure taken when an investigation is anticipated.
Infantino, who took over from Sepp Blatter in 2016, had previously been re-elected unopposed twice. He intends to seek re-election for a fourth term, needing 106 votes from FIFA‘s 211 members to win. However, national associations, including those from England and Wales, have begun to retract their letters of support.
Potential Successors to the FIFA Presidency
Should Infantino’s tenure come to an end, several individuals are considered potential candidates for the top job. Candidates have until 18 November to put their names forward for the election, which is scheduled to be confirmed at the organisation’s 77th Congress in Morocco next March.
- Victor Montagliani: The current president of Concacaf, Montagliani was elected in 2016 with a promise of governance reform. A former president of Canada Soccer, he played a significant role in the lead-up to and delivery of the 2026 World Cup. He is fluent in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. Montagliani led Concacaf in hosting an expanded Copa America in 2024 and has expressed that football is resilient enough to overcome challenges, stating, “The game is bigger than world current leaders.”
- Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa: As the president of the AFC, Al Khalifa was first elected in 2013 and returned unopposed for a fourth term, set to run until 2027. He has overseen substantial growth within the Asian confederation, including the launch of the Women’s Champions League in 2024-25 and the expansion of the Asian Cup to 24 teams. Al Khalifa has been critical of how FIFA is being run under Infantino, carrying the support of a 46-member confederation.
- Nasser Al-Khelaifi: The president of Paris St-Germain, Al-Khelaifi became chairman of the European Clubs’ Association after the collapse of the European Super League in 2021. He oversaw the renaming of the association to European Football Clubs and expanded its membership to over 800 clubs, with only Real Madrid remaining outside. While considered a serious challenger, a source close to the 52-year-old indicated he does not want the role.
- Mattias Grafstrom: Appointed FIFA secretary general in May 2024, Grafstrom has become an increasingly influential figure within FIFA. He served as Infantino’s chief of staff following his election in 2016. However, his close association with Infantino and the general sentiment that FIFA‘s next president should not be European could be factors against him.
The possibility of the FIFA Council attempting to force Infantino’s resignation through an emergency meeting remains.
Infantino had stated in April his intention to seek re-election for a fourth term as FIFA chief.
Source: bbc.com
