LONDON — Wales on Monday became the first nation to publicly withdraw support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid over his failed plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup.
Infantino had offered its 211 member associations $40 million each if they backed proposals for private investment in its tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.
But he was forced to scrap his plan after a furious backlash from three continental confederations.
The Football Association of Wales said Monday it would not back Infantino’s candidature in the election in Rabat, Morocco, in March 2027.
“The Football Association of Wales hereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino, for re-election as FIFA president for the 2027–2031 term,” the FAW said in a statement.
“The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement have led us to a position where Mr Infantino has lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football.
“Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept,” added the statement according to AFP.
The English FA is also understood to have written to FIFA making it clear it no longer supports Infantino.
English football’s governing body issued a statement on Saturday saying it “fully supported” the position of UEFA, which said Infantino had lost the “confidence” of the European governing body.
North and Central American football’s governing body, CONCACAF called for a “comprehensive reckoning with” Infantino’s leadership while the Asian Football Confederation pleaded for transparency.
