Welsh FA Withdraws Support for Infantino’s 2027 FIFA Re-election Bid

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election, becoming the first national football federation to publicly oppose his candidature ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election.

The decision follows widespread criticism of Infantino’s recently abandoned proposal to allow private investors to acquire stakes in FIFA’s flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup.

Although Infantino announced last week that the proposal had been shelved after strong opposition from football stakeholders, the Welsh FA said the controversy had eroded its confidence in his leadership.

In a statement released on Monday, the FAW confirmed it would no longer support Infantino’s campaign for another term covering the 2027–2031 period.

“The Football Association of Wales hereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino, for re-election as FIFA president for the 2027–2031 term,” the statement said.

The association cited what it described as repeated shortcomings in governance, leadership and decision-making under the current FIFA administration.

According to the FAW, recent events demonstrated failures in governance processes, stakeholder engagement, communication and overall judgment, leaving the organisation convinced that a change in leadership is necessary.

The Welsh football body further stated that the interests of the game must always come before commercial considerations, insisting that it could not support leadership that failed to uphold that principle.

“The 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 statement added.

The FAW also stressed that placing football’s long-term interests above financial ambitions remains essential for preserving the integrity of the sport.

Infantino had faced intense criticism after unveiling plans to establish a commercial subsidiary that would oversee major FIFA competitions while opening the door to private investment. The proposal drew strong opposition from UEFA and several other football confederations before eventually being abandoned.

The next FIFA presidential election is scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco, in March 2027, where delegates from FIFA’s member associations will elect the organisation’s president for the next four-year term.