English FA to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino FIFA re-election

The English Football Association (FA) has announced plans to withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president, marking a significant escalation in the growing backlash against the Swiss official’s leadership. The decision, reported by multiple outlets including the New York Times and freepressjournal.in, follows the collapse of Infantino’s controversial proposal to sell a stake in FIFA’s commercial operations to private investors, which triggered widespread condemnation from football bodies and internal criticism within the organization.

The FA’s move comes after the Football Association of Wales (FAW) became the first national association to formally abandon its backing for Infantino’s 2027 re-election bid. The FAW cited “failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications, and sound judgment” as reasons for its decision. The English FA is expected to follow suit, joining a coalition of European and international football associations that have lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership.

The controversy centers on Infantino’s FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE) initiative, which aimed to sell a 21% stake in FIFA’s commercial and event operations to Joshua Kushner’s investment fund for $4.2 billion. The plan, revealed in late July 2026, faced immediate opposition from UEFA, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which criticized the lack of consultation and transparency. UEFA threatened to boycott major FIFA tournaments, including the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, if the proposal proceeded. The FA’s statement echoed these concerns, calling for a “full and robust review of FIFA’s leadership and governance” to ensure transparency and accountability.

Infantino initially defended the FFE plan, claiming it would generate funds to support football development globally. However, the proposal faced internal resistance, with FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, condemning it as “the project of one person.” Senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, and the FA’s statement highlighted the growing rift within the organization. Despite scrapping the FFE plan, Infantino remains under pressure, with UEFA vowing legal action over the deal’s cancellation and demanding that all related documents be preserved.

The backlash has intensified as more associations align with UEFA’s stance. The Romanian Football Federation, led by FIFA Council member Razvan Burleanu, also withdrew its support for Infantino, signaling a broader European pushback. Meanwhile, Concacaf and AFC have expressed skepticism about Infantino’s leadership, with the latter criticizing the “lack of consultation” in the FFE proposal. Despite these challenges, Infantino has not yet conceded defeat, maintaining that his goal remains to “unite and improve” football globally.

The FA’s withdrawal adds to the mounting pressure on Infantino, who previously claimed to have secured pledges from over 200 of FIFA’s 211 member associations for his re-election. However, the coordinated opposition from UEFA, Concacaf, and AFC—collectively representing 143 nations—threatens to derail his bid. The outcome of the March 2027 election now hinges on whether these blocs can maintain unity and rally support for an alternative candidate.

Potential challengers include Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, backed by UEFA, and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, who is considering a run. Montagliani, who already serves as a FIFA vice-president, has emerged as a key figure in the opposition, with sources suggesting he could challenge Infantino if sufficient support materializes. The coming months will determine whether the anti-Infantino movement gains momentum or fractures under internal disagreements.

For now, the FA’s decision underscores the deepening crisis within FIFA. The organization faces a pivotal moment as its member associations demand transparency, accountability, and a shift in leadership. Whether Infantino can navigate this turmoil or is forced to step down before the 2027 election remains uncertain, but the growing coalition against him signals a turning point in the governance of world football.