Welsh FA Withdraws Support for Gianni Infantino's FIFA Re-Election Bid
The Football Association of Wales has become the first nation to publicly withdraw its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid. This decision comes after Infantino’s failed plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup, which offered $40 million to each of FIFA’s 211 member associations if they backed the proposal. The Welsh FA cited “recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement” as the reason for their withdrawal of support.
England’s Football Association is also expected to formally withdraw its support for Infantino’s re-election bid, according to a source familiar with the matter. The backlash against Infantino’s failed proposal has intensified, with both UEFA and Concacaf attacking him over the plan. The Welsh FA’s statement emphasized that “failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept.”
The withdrawal of support from the Welsh and potentially English FAs could complicate Infantino’s path to re-election as FIFA president for the 2027-2031 term. His re-election bid is set to be decided at the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March 2027.
The Football Association of Wales’ decision to withdraw support is a significant blow to Infantino’s bid, as it is the first national federation to do so. The English FA’s expected withdrawal of support would further increase the pressure on Infantino.
In a statement, the Welsh FA said, “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.” This statement reflects the growing dissatisfaction among FIFA members with Infantino’s leadership and governance.
