FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing one of the biggest challenges of his leadership after reports emerged that the English Football Association is preparing to withdraw its support for his bid to secure another term in office. The development comes amid growing criticism of his handling of a controversial proposal to sell a stake in FIFA’s commercial rights, a plan that has triggered widespread backlash across the football world.
According to reports, the English FA’s decision follows a similar move by the Football Association of Wales, which recently became the first national football body to publicly withdraw its backing for Infantino. The controversy centres on FIFA’s now abandoned proposal to sell a significant stake in a new commercial entity that would manage major competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. The plan attracted strong opposition from UEFA and several football associations, forcing Infantino to shelve the proposal.
The English FA is said to have concluded that the episode raised serious concerns about governance, transparency, and decision making within FIFA. Football authorities believe the proposal was introduced without sufficient consultation with stakeholders, leading to questions about the organisation’s leadership and commitment to protecting the interests of the global game...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The growing opposition has intensified pressure on Infantino ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election. While he had previously appeared on course to secure another term without significant resistance, the latest developments suggest his path to re election may no longer be straightforward. Several football governing bodies have openly expressed dissatisfaction with FIFA’s recent direction, and discussions are reportedly ongoing about the possibility of supporting an alternative candidate.
Although FIFA has yet to issue a detailed response to the latest developments, the controversy has become one of the biggest governance crises faced by the organisation in recent years. The decision by one of football’s most influential national associations to distance itself from Infantino is expected to have significant implications as support for his leadership continues to come under increasing scrutiny across the global football community.
