Infantino suffers re-election blow as Welsh FA withdraws support
by The Eagle Online · The Eagle OnlineThe Football Association of Wales has withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid following the collapse of his controversial proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup.
Wales became the first nation to publicly withdraw its backing for Infantino on Monday, days after the FIFA president announced that the investment proposal had been shelved following widespread opposition.
Infantino is seeking re-election for the 2027–2031 term, with the election scheduled to take place in Rabat next March.
Announcing its decision, the Welsh FA said Infantino had lost its confidence to continue leading world football.
“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 association said.
“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.”
The decision follows the failure of Infantino’s FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which sought to bring private investment into the commercial operations of the World Cup and other FIFA competitions.
The proposal triggered strong resistance across world football, with UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf among those opposing the initiative.
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The backlash eventually forced Infantino to shelve the proposal last week.
Opposition to his leadership has since intensified, with the English Football Association also moving to withdraw its support and calling for a full review of FIFA’s governance.
UEFA is also reportedly considering legal action over the investment proposal, while Concacaf has called for a review of FIFA’s leadership.
The growing resistance comes ahead of FIFA’s presidential election in Rabat next March, where Infantino is seeking another term at the helm of world football.
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