Wales has become the first football association to withdraw its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election, citing concerns over governance, leadership and decision-making at world football’s governing body.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) said on Saturday it no longer backed Infantino’s candidacy for a new term covering 2027 to 2031, following what it described as a series of failures in FIFA’s leadership and processes.
The decision comes after Infantino faced criticism over a proposal to sell stakes in future World Cup-related commercial ventures to private investors. The plan was abandoned last week after opposition from several football confederations, including UEFA, which had warned its member nations could boycott FIFA events.
Although the proposal has been withdrawn, Infantino’s leadership remains under scrutiny ahead of the FIFA presidential election in March next year.
The FAW said the recent issues surrounding FIFA had caused Infantino to lose its confidence as leader of world football.
“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,” the association said in a statement.
“Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept.”
The move follows growing calls for greater accountability at FIFA, with critics questioning the organisation’s approach to governance under Infantino, who has led the body since 2016.
The Swiss official is expected to seek another term when FIFA members vote next year.
