Gianni Infantino's bid to secure a fourth term as FIFA president has suffered another major setback, with England's Football Association (FA) expected to follow Wales in withdrawing its support ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) became the first national federation to officially revoke its backing for Infantino, citing a loss of confidence in his leadership following the collapse of FIFA's controversial proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup and other major tournaments.
England is now widely expected to take a similar stance, marking a significant political shift among FIFA's influential European members.
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Why Are England And Wales Withdrawing Support?
The latest controversy began from FIFA's failed plan to create a new commercial entity that would oversee the rights to competitions such as the FIFA World Cup. The governing body reportedly planned to sell around a 20 percent stake in the venture to private investors in a deal worth approximately $4.2 billion.
The proposal faced strong opposition from UEFA and several European football associations, who argued that football's biggest tournaments should remain under the complete control of the sport's governing bodies rather than outside investors.
Amid rising criticism, FIFA eventually abandoned the proposal, but the episode has intensified concerns over Infantino's leadership and governance.
UEFA’s Pressure Continues
The controversy has further strained relations between FIFA and UEFA. Europe's governing body is understood to have expressed serious concerns over the commercial rights proposal and has reportedly explored legal options following the plan's collapse.
England's expected withdrawal of support would significantly strengthen UEFA's position and increase pressure on Infantino ahead of the FIFA Congress in Morocco, where the presidential election is scheduled to take place in March 2027.
Is Infantino's Re-election In Danger?
Despite the growing opposition in Europe, Infantino continues to enjoy considerable support from other continental confederations, including Africa's CAF, South America's CONMEBOL, and several Asian football associations. Those voting blocs could still prove decisive in the presidential election.
What Happens Next?
While England has yet to make an official announcement, reports suggest the FA is preparing to inform FIFA that it will no longer support Infantino's candidacy.
If confirmed, England would become the second home nation after Wales to withdraw its backing, potentially prompting other European associations to reassess their positions before the 2027 election.
For now, Gianni Infantino remains the favourite to retain the FIFA presidency due to his strong global support base. However, the collapse of the World Cup commercialization proposal has turned what once appeared to be a routine re-election into one of the most politically charged contests in recent FIFA history.