Following the Football Association of Wales, England’s FA has reversed its decision to back Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid for the FIFA presidency, prompted by the attempt to sell the World Cup to private investors.
The English FA followed Wales’s lead and is set to become the second association to withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid, according to reports released early Monday morning by the British broadcaster Sky News.
At the heart of this stance is the widespread outrage sparked by the lawyer’s plan to create “FIFA Forward Enterprise” (FFE)—a subsidiary open to private investment designed to consolidate the commercial operations of tournaments organized by the governing body (including the World Cup).
The company was valued at approximately $20 billion (€17.4 billion), with 20% of its equity slated for immediate sale to private investors for $4.2 billion (€3.6 billion)—a move made without even consulting his inner circle.
The backlash was so intense that UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC immediately voiced their opposition to the project. Together, they represent more than half of the votes from FIFA’s 211 member associations, leaving Infantino with no choice but to back down and shelve the plan.
Now, the Italian-Swiss official’s re-election is in jeopardy; the British newspaper *The Guardian* has reported that many of the more than 200 formal letters of support he had previously received are expected to be withdrawn in the coming days, mirroring the actions taken by the Welsh and English associations. It is worth noting that the FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 18, 2027, yet the deadline to submit candidacies is this coming November 18.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain and the European Club Association, has been the most talked-about name, though he remains hesitant to take on the challenge. Also in the mix are figures such as Victor Montagliani and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who head CONCACAF and the AFC, respectively.
FIFA rebellion could hasten Infantino’s downfall
This development comes less than 24 hours after reports emerged from England indicating moves…
