Wales withdraws support for Infantino as European pressure mounts over collapsed World Cup sell-off
The Football Association of Wales has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president, the first of 211 member associations to do so, as European and transatlantic pressure mounts following the.
The Football Association of Wales has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president, the first of 211 member associations to do so. The move follows the collapse of a multibillion-euro plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors, which drew sharp criticism from UEFA and other football bodies.
The Football Association of Wales has formally withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president, writing to the world governing body to confirm its decision. It is the first of FIFA’s 211 member associations to take this step, as European football bodies coordinate a campaign to increase pressure on Infantino. The move follows the collapse of a privately backed scheme to sell off parts of the World Cup to investors, a plan valued at $20 billion that drew sharp criticism from UEFA and other associations. Infantino withdrew the multibillion-euro sale after opposition from UEFA, its president Aleksander Ceferin, and FIFA’s own advisors. Infantino, FIFA president since 2016, now faces coordinated opposition from Europe, North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, while seeking support from allies of Donald Trump and from Qatar, Lebanon, and Morocco. UEFA has threatened legal action and warned Infantino not to destroy evidence, according to the organisation.
Wales withdraws support for Infantino
The Football Association of Wales has written to FIFA formally withdrawing its support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as president. The FAW described itself as the first of FIFA’s 211 member associations to take this step. The decision follows a coordinated push by European football bodies to increase pressure on Infantino by pulling back letters that had previously backed his candidacy.
The Welsh move is the most concrete signal yet of crumbling support inside FIFA’s membership. Infantino has been president since 2016, but his position has weakened severely after the collapse of a privately backed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. Football governing bodies in Europe, North America, Central America and the Caribbean have publicly questioned FIFA’s leadership in recent weeks.
The FAW’s letter makes explicit what had been rumoured: that the coalition opposing Infantino is no longer confined to private complaints. Other European associations are expected to follow Wales’s lead.
Infantino becomes UEFA Secretary General
Infantino becomes FIFA President
Infantino joins International Olympic Committee
FIFA considers selling World Cup shares to private investors
UEFA and other associations criticise the plan
FIFA abandons investor plans after opposition
Infantino withdraws multibillion-euro World Cup rights sale
European countries plan to withdraw support letters for Infantino
FAW writes to FIFA withdrawing support for Infantino's re-election
Infantino seeks support from Trump allies and countries including Qatar, Lebanon, Morocco
UEFA threatens legal action against Infantino and warns him not to destroy evidence
UEFA accelerates plans to oust Infantino
European and transatlantic pressure mounts
European associations planned to escalate pressure on Infantino by withdrawing letters of support for his re-election as FIFA president. The coordinated move followed the collapse of the scheme to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, which had eroded confidence in Infantino’s leadership.
Football governing bodies in Europe, North America, Central America, and the Caribbean publicly questioned FIFA’s direction. The criticism spanned multiple confederations, signalling that discontent was not confined to a single region. UEFA, the most powerful continental body, had already led opposition to the investor plan, and other federations now followed by withholding their endorsements.
The FAW’s withdrawal, which it described as the first among FIFA’s 211 member associations to take such a step, added weight to the broader campaign. Without the backing of European and transatlantic bodies, Infantino faces a fractured support base ahead of any re-election bid.
The collapsed $20 billion World Cup sell-off plan
FIFA considered selling shares in the World Cup to private investors, a plan that drew sharp criticism from UEFA and other associations. Critics warned that the sale would increase the commercialisation of the tournament, undermining its status as a global sporting event. The proposal faced widespread opposition from European football bodies, as well as from governing associations in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, who publicly questioned FIFA’s leadership.
After mounting resistance, FIFA abandoned its controversial investor plans. The collapse followed opposition from UEFA, other national associations, and FIFA’s own advisors. Infantino subsequently withdrew the multibillion-euro sale of World Cup rights. According to The Sun, Infantino would have earned nearly £1 million per week if the sell-off plan had succeeded. The newspaper described the scheme as a multibillion-euro proposal that was ultimately scrapped under pressure.
Ceferin leads opposition, UEFA threatens legal action
The main opposition to Gianni Infantino has been led by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. Ceferin united European football associations behind him during the dispute over FIFA’s abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. His coalition held together as FIFA faced sharp criticism from UEFA and other bodies over the commercialisation of the tournament.
UEFA has now escalated the conflict. According to UEFA, the organisation has threatened legal action against both FIFA and Infantino personally. UEFA also warned Infantino not to destroy evidence, and said it is accelerating plans to oust him. The threats mark a significant break between the global and European governing bodies, reflecting the depth of the rift over FIFA’s leadership and financial strategy.
Ceferin’s ability to hold European associations in line has been central to the pressure campaign. With the Football Association of Wales already withdrawing its support for Infantino’s re-election, the question is whether other European federations will follow. UEFA’s legal moves suggest it is preparing for a prolonged confrontation.
UEFA has threatened legal action against FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino.
Infantino seeks allies from Trump circle and Middle East
As European and transatlantic opposition solidifies, Infantino has turned to allies of Donald Trump and governments in the Middle East and North Africa. He is seeking backing from Trump’s circle and from countries including Qatar, Lebanon, and Morocco, according to reports.
The lobbying effort comes amid an ongoing dispute over the World Cup. Qatar, which hosted the 2022 tournament, and Morocco, a joint bidder for 2030 alongside Spain and Portugal, have strategic interests in FIFA’s direction. Lebanon, a smaller football nation, has limited influence but adds to Infantino’s tally of potential supporters.
The outreach underscores how Infantino is attempting to shore up support beyond the European associations that have turned against him. Whether the Trump allies and Middle Eastern backers can offset the loss of confidence among key UEFA members remains unclear.
Media and insider reactions: 'clinging on' and 'certain to go'
Infantino released a 10-word statement in response to the scandal, according to the FIFA president. He did not elaborate further.
The Sun reported that Infantino would have earned nearly £1 million per week if his World Cup sell-off plan had succeeded, and described him as clinging on to his job. Mirror.co.uk called the attempts to sell a stake in the tournament “shabby” and reported that Infantino looks certain to be ousted as FIFA president. Goal.com reported that UEFA is working to remove Infantino after the collapse of his $20 billion World Cup investment plan.
FIFA insiders say Infantino is certain to go, according to sources within the organisation. The brief statement and the flurry of reports paint a picture of a president under siege, with no public defence of his actions and few allies left among the major football governing bodies.
Infantino's trajectory and what comes next
Gianni Infantino has held FIFA’s presidency since 2016, having previously served as UEFA’s secretary general from 2009 to 2016. He became a member of the International Olympic Committee in 2020. He holds Swiss and Italian nationality. According to FIFA insiders, Infantino is certain to go. The collapse of his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors has left his position in severe peril. European, North American, Central American and Caribbean football bodies have publicly questioned FIFA’s leadership. UEFA is accelerating plans to oust him, according to UEFA. The Football Association of Wales became the first of FIFA’s 211 member associations to withdraw its support for his re-election, according to the FAW. Infantino released a 10-word statement in response to the scandal, according to Infantino. The Sun described him as clinging on to his job. Mirror.co.uk reported he looks certain to be ousted.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Wales withdraw support for Infantino?
The Football Association of Wales has officially withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president. The FAW wrote to FIFA about its decision. According to the FAW, it was the first of FIFA's 211 member associations to take this step.
What was the World Cup sell-off plan?
FIFA considered selling shares in the World Cup to private investors. The plan drew sharp criticism from UEFA and other associations, who warned it would increase commercialisation. FIFA abandoned the plan after opposition from UEFA, other associations, and its own advisors. Infantino then withdrew the multibillion-euro sale.
Who is trying to oust Infantino?
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin is considered Infantino's main opponent. Ceferin united European football associations behind him in the dispute over FIFA's investor plans. According to UEFA, it has threatened legal action against Infantino and is accelerating plans to oust him.
How much would Infantino have earned from the World Cup plan?
According to The Sun, Infantino would have earned nearly £1 million per week if his World Cup sell-off plan had succeeded. The Sun described Infantino as clinging on to his job. Mirror.co.uk reported that Infantino looks certain to be ousted as FIFA President.
Who is supporting Infantino now?
Infantino is seeking support from allies of Donald Trump and from countries including Qatar, Lebanon, and Morocco. This lobbying occurs amid an ongoing dispute related to the World Cup. European countries planned to increase pressure on Infantino by withdrawing letters supporting his re-election.
Compiled from reporting by 13 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
