SOCCER: Wales withdraws support for Infantino’s FIFA re-election bid

Wales has withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election for the 2027-2031 term after the collapse of a plan to sell a stake in the organization’s World Cup commercial rights.

FIFA’s proposal to raise up to $4.2 billion from private investors through the sale of an estimated 20% stake in a new entity managing competitions, including the World Cup, was abandoned on Friday following strong opposition from stakeholders.

The failed initiative has raised questions over Infantino’s leadership as he seeks another term as FIFA president, with critics pointing to concerns over governance and decision-making.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) became the first national federation to formally withdraw its backing for Infantino.

“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 Welsh FA said recent issues involving governance, leadership, communication, and stakeholder management had caused Infantino to lose its confidence.

“Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept,” the organization added.

Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment.

Infantino has faced growing criticism after regional football bodies UEFA and CONCACAF said they had lost confidence in his leadership following the controversy over the commercial rights plan.

UEFA, which opposed the proposal and welcomed its cancellation, also issued a document preservation order to prevent the destruction of emails, files, or other data as possible investigations are considered.

Infantino announced in April that he would seek a fourth term as FIFA president. Since succeeding Sepp Blatter in 2016, the Swiss official has been re-elected twice without opposition and has maintained strong control over world football’s governing body.

However, analysts told Reuters that the backlash over the failed proposal exposed growing dissatisfaction among FIFA members and could make his re-election campaign more challenging ahead of the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March. -Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by David Holmes/Reuters