Wales Withdraws Backing For Infantino’s FIFA Re-Election Bid

Wales has become the first country to publicly withdraw its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term, following the collapse of his controversial proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup.

Infantino had sought the backing of FIFA’s 211 member associations by proposing payments of $40 million to each federation in exchange for supporting plans to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.

The proposal, however, was abandoned after it faced strong opposition from three continental football confederations.

On Monday, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) announced that it would no longer support Infantino’s candidacy for the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco.

In a statement, the FAW 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.”

The association explained its decision, stating, “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 move follows similar criticism from other football bodies. England’s Football Association said on Saturday that it “fully supported” the stance of UEFA, which declared that Infantino had lost the “confidence” of European football’s governing body.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) also called for a “comprehensive reckoning with” Infantino’s leadership, while the Asian Football Confederation urged greater transparency.