The Football Association of Wales has become the first FIFA member to formally withdraw its backing for Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA President, citing governance failures following his controversial World Cup privatisation plans.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has formally notified FIFA of its withdrawal of support for Gianni Infantino's candidacy in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for March. The move makes the FAW the first national football association to take such action against the incumbent FIFA President.
Infantino faces mounting pressure following his proposal to establish a private company open to external investment to manage FIFA's flagship competitions, including the World Cup. The plan, which would have been led by a close associate of Donald Trump, has triggered widespread backlash across global football. Despite Infantino's subsequent cancellation of the initiative, the damage to his credibility persists.
In its statement to FIFA, the FAW cited "recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgment" as reasons for withdrawing confidence in Infantino's leadership. The association emphasised that "failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept." The FAW also supported a boycott of FIFA competitions orchestrated by UEFA until the privatisation plans were terminated, with CONCACAF, the North American governing body, similarly criticising the proposals.
The political dimension of the crisis has intensified with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham describing Infantino as "the wrong man" to lead world football. Several of Infantino's key advisers have resigned in protest over the controversy. While other British football associations have yet to formally follow the FAW's lead, all have endorsed the UEFA-coordinated boycott initiative, suggesting potential further withdrawals of support ahead of the March re-election vote.
