In a move that has sent shockwaves through the world of football, the Football Association of Wales has become the first national football body anywhere to publicly withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president.
The decision, confirmed by the FAW on Saturday, marks a dramatic fall from grace for the man who has led football's global governing body since 2016. Wales is now the first of FIFA's 211 member nations to openly call for new leadership when Infantino's current term ends in 2027.
The breakdown in confidence stems from Infantino's recent abandoned plan to sell stakes in FIFA's biggest competitions to private investment firms — a scheme that would have handed control of events like the World Cup to outside companies. The idea sparked outrage across the football world. Europe's governing body, UEFA, went so far as to threaten a boycott of all FIFA competitions, including football's most prestigious tournament. The North, Central American and Caribbean football confederation, Concacaf, also released a statement criticizing FIFA's leadership.
In a blunt statement, the Football Association of Wales listed what it called "recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement." The organization concluded that Infantino had "lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football," adding that "failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept."
The withdrawal signals growing discontent among football's traditional powerhouses with Infantino's leadership style. While FIFA remains one of the world's most wealthy and influential sports organizations, the plan to bring in private investors was seen by many as prioritizing profit over the game itself.
Wales, a nation of roughly 3.2 million people, has punched above its weight in international football in recent years, reaching the Euro 2016 semifinals and the 2022 World Cup — their first appearance in 64 years. The FAW's decision to take a stand could encourage other smaller football nations to voice their concerns as well.
FIFA has not yet responded publicly to Wales's withdrawal. Infantino is expected to seek another four-year term, but the pressure from European football's establishment may make his path to re-election more complicated than in previous campaigns.