FA and Wales withdraw support for Gianni Infantino following FIFA Forward controversy
UK football bodies have backed UEFA’s call to review FIFA’s leadership following the failure of the FIFA Forward Enterprise project.
The football associations of England and Wales have officially withdrawn their support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This decision follows the collapse of the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise project, which sought to introduce private capital into the governing body.
The English FA has aligned itself with UEFA’s stance, calling for a thorough and rigorous review of FIFA’s leadership and governance. Citing a lack of transparency, reports indicate the FA is preparing to rescind a previous letter of support for Infantino’s candidacy for the 2027-2031 term.
The Football Association of Wales became the first to formally state that Infantino has lost their trust. Their statement highlighted recent failures in governance, leadership, and core values, asserting that the current management no longer aligns with the interests of the game.
The political pressure on Infantino has mounted significantly since the cancellation of the FIFA Forward Enterprise project. While he retains support from some federations in Africa and Asia, the loss of key European backing creates a significant hurdle for his re-election campaign ahead of the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March 2027.