The Italian Football Federation has joined a growing number of countries withdrawing their backing for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. In a statement released on Wednesday, the FIGC announced that it will no longer support Infantino’s reelection bid in March due to concerns about recent FIFA initiatives on governance and international competitions.
Infantino has faced mounting calls to resign following his abandoned plan to sell shares in the World Cup to private equity investors. Three continental confederations accused him of deceit, and UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA events. FIGC President Giovanni Malagò emphasized the importance of promoting a soccer vision based on merit, solidarity, sustainability, and fan engagement.
Several other soccer federations, including those of England, Wales, and Ireland, have also withdrawn their support for Infantino’s reelection. Norway has urged him to step down, while five Nordic countries expressed a lack of confidence in his leadership. Despite the backlash, Infantino was expected to be reelected unopposed next year in Morocco until the recent controversy.
While some FIFA member federations continue to support Infantino, including 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco and Qatar, others like Saudi Arabia have not publicly endorsed him despite their political ties. UEFA is poised to retract its boycott threat against FIFA competitions following assurances that Infantino’s failed World Cup sell-off plan will not be revived. This move will allow European teams to participate in upcoming tournaments without disruption.
Infantino’s proposal for a $20 billion subsidiary controlling FIFA commercial rights, including the World Cup, was met with widespread criticism and led to calls for his resignation. UEFA, along with other football bodies, demanded assurances that a similar plan would not resurface. With these assurances in place, UEFA is expected to no longer challenge Infantino’s reelection in March.
