Italy Becomes Latest European Power to Withdraw Support for Infantino's Re-Election Bid as Controversy Over World Cup Investment Plan Grows

Published by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise. 

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has formally withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's re-election campaign, dealing a significant blow to the embattled Swiss-Italian administrator as opposition to his leadership continues to grow across Europe. The FIGC announced its decision on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, making Italy the latest in a swelling list of national associations to abandon Infantino ahead of the FIFA Presidential elections scheduled for March 2027.

In an official statement released by FIGC President Giovanni Malagò, the federation said it would no longer back Infantino's candidacy, citing the FIFA president's controversial initiatives regarding the governance and development of international competitions. The move places the Italian federation firmly in line with UEFA and its President Aleksander Čeferin, who have openly opposed Infantino's now-abandoned plan to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors.

"This decision is intended to express the FIGC's position relating to the recent initiatives promoted by the FIFA President in a clear and transparent way, in full agreement with UEFA and its President Aleksander Ceferin," the FIGC statement read. The federation stressed that it would "continue to work alongside UEFA and the other European associations to promote an idea of football based on merit and sustainability, putting fans at the centre."

Infantino, who has been FIFA president since 2016 and was previously UEFA's secretary general, had broad backing from European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter. However, his reputation has been severely tarnished following his now-aborted proposal to sell stakes in football's showpiece event to private equity firms. The plan triggered a fierce backlash from three of the sport's continental confederations, who accused him of "deception," while UEFA threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions.

Italy's decision comes after the football federations of England, Wales and Ireland withdrew their support for Infantino's re-election earlier in August. The Nordic nations, including Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland and the Faeroe Islands, have also publicly declared that they have "lost confidence" in his leadership and called on him to step down.

Despite the growing opposition, Infantino has remained defiant, insisting that his proposals were aimed at securing the financial future of global football. However, with one of the sport's most influential national associations now joining the rebellion against him, his path to re-election in 2027 appears increasingly uncertain. The Italian federation's decision represents a significant shift in the balance of power within FIFA, underscoring the deepening rift between the world governing body and its European members over the direction of the sport's commercial future.

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