Wales withdraws support for Infantino re-election, England to follow
Infantino’s Re-election Bid Faces Challenges
Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, is reportedly facing increasing pressure as national associations begin to withdraw their support for his re-election bid. The Football Association of Wales has formally announced its withdrawal of support for Infantino’s candidacy for the 2027–2031 term. A source familiar with the matter indicated that England’s Football Association is expected to follow suit.
This development follows the abandonment of a plan by Fifa to sell a stake in its competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. The proposal aimed to generate up to $4.2 billion but met with significant resistance from stakeholders, leading to its withdrawal. The backlash has reportedly intensified scrutiny on Infantino’s bid for another term as Fifa president.
Potential Successors for the Top Job
Should Gianni Infantino’s tenure come to an end, several individuals are being considered as potential replacements for the top job in world football. Candidates have until 18 November to put their names forward for the election, which is scheduled to take place at the organisation’s 77th Congress in Morocco next March.
One prominent figure is Victor Montagliani, the president of Concacaf, the confederation overseeing football in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Montagliani, a former president of Canada Soccer, played a significant role in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by three nations. He is known for his political strength and his ability to smooth relations, notably during discussions about a biennial World Cup proposal.
Another potential candidate is Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the president of the AFC. Al Khalifa, who was first elected in 2013 and returned unopposed for a fourth term until 2027, has overseen substantial growth within the Asian confederation. This includes the expansion of the Asian Cup to 24 teams and the launch of the Women’s Champions League in 2024-25. He has reportedly been critical of how Fifa is being managed by Infantino.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris St-Germain and chairman of the European Clubs’ Association, is also considered a serious challenger. He took over the chairmanship after the collapse of the European Super League in 2021 and expanded the association to over 800 members. However, a source close to Al-Khelaifi indicated that he does not want the role of Fifa president.
Mattias Grafstrom, appointed Fifa secretary general in May 2024, has emerged as an increasingly influential voice within the organisation. He became Infantino’s chief of staff following his election in 2016. However, his close association with Infantino and the sentiment that Fifa’s next president should not be European could be factors against him.
The withdrawal of support from national associations, including Wales and potentially England, highlights growing dissatisfaction among Fifa members. The Welsh FA cited “failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement” as reasons for their decision, stating that Infantino has lost their confidence. The European governing body, UEFA, and Concacaf have also expressed a loss of confidence in his leadership.
Infantino, who took over from Sepp Blatter in 2016 and was re-elected unopposed twice, had previously stated in April his intention to seek a fourth term. His re-election for the 2027-31 term had initially appeared to be a formality. However, the recent events suggest a more complex path ahead of the March Congress.
Source: bbc.com
