England withdraw support for Gianni Infantino ahead of 2027 Fifa presidential election

The Football Association has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to remain as Fifa president, deepening the crisis surrounding the organisation’s leader after the collapse of his plan to sell stakes in the commercial rights to Fifa competitions, including the World Cup.

England’s decision follows that of the Football Association of Wales, which became the first national association to announce that it no longer backed Infantino. Other European football associations are expected to consider taking similar action in the coming days.

Infantino has faced intense criticism since his proposal to bring private-sector investors into Fifa’s competitions was abandoned. The project was formally dropped after an angry response from continental and national football bodies.

The scale of the opposition emerged in a statement from UEFA, which said a number of countries, including England and Wales, had been prepared to boycott future World Cups unless the plan was withdrawn. Fifa subsequently moved quickly to reverse its position.

The dispute is expected to damage Infantino’s prospects of securing another term as Fifa president, with the next presidential election due to take place in 2027. He has led world football’s governing body since 2016, when he succeeded Sepp Blatter.

The Times reported that the Football Association will withdraw an earlier letter in which it expressed support for Infantino’s continued presidency. The move is seen as a significant indication of falling confidence in the Fifa president among European football authorities.

Wales’ decision to withdraw its backing was followed by England’s, creating what is being described as a potential domino effect. The developments could encourage other national associations to reconsider their positions, as calls for Infantino to leave office grow across Europe.

European support has been regarded as one of the main foundations of Infantino’s influence since he became Fifa president. The loss of backing from two national associations, following the failure of his commercial plan, suggests that the coalition behind him is becoming increasingly fragile.

The proposed sale of commercial stakes had been presented as an ambitious attempt to generate investment in the competitions organised by Fifa. Instead, it provoked a backlash from football authorities and became a major political challenge for Infantino.

UEFA’s warning that countries could refuse to take part in future World Cups highlighted the seriousness of the dispute and increased pressure on Fifa to abandon the project. Once the proposal was withdrawn, however, the controversy continued to affect Infantino’s standing.

The situation leaves the future of the Fifa president more uncertain than at any point since he took charge of the organisation. A commercial initiative intended to strengthen Fifa’s finances has instead developed into a political crisis that could threaten Infantino’s attempt to remain at the head of world football’s largest governing body.