Wales withdraw backing for Infantino’s FIFA re-election bid

The Football Association of Wales has withdrawn its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election, becoming the first national football association to publicly oppose his candidacy for the 2027–2031 term.

The decision follows Infantino’s abandoned proposal to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup, a plan that attracted widespread criticism from football stakeholders before being shelved last week.

In a statement issued on Monday, the FAW said it no longer had confidence in Infantino’s leadership.

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“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 statement read.

“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.”

Infantino announced last week that he was abandoning the controversial World Cup investment proposal following strong opposition from football bodies and stakeholders.

The FIFA presidential election is scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco, in March 2027.