Italy has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s FIFA presidency, adding another major European federation to the growing push for leadership change. The FIGC says its decision reflects concerns over governance and the direction of international competitions. The federation also wants greater transparency in how FIFA makes major commercial and sporting decisions.
The move came as UEFA provisionally suspended its threat to pull European teams from FIFA competitions after receiving written assurances that a controversial commercial plan is permanently dead. That doesn’t mean the dispute is over. UEFA is pressing for broader governance reforms and an independent review of the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.
Italy’s decision adds weight to the European backlash
The Italian Football Federation announced Aug. 26 that it would no longer support Infantino’s expected bid for another term as FIFA president. FIGC President Giovanni Malagò said Italy’s position was fully aligned with UEFA and reflected concerns about governance and the development of international competitions.
The move puts Italy alongside European associations that have withdrawn support or questioned his leadership. That makes the Italian decision another important signal that Infantino’s once-strong European backing has become increasingly divided.
The failed World Cup investment plan changed the conversation
The immediate trigger was FIFA Forward Enterprise, a proposal unveiled in July that would have placed FIFA’s commercial and tournament operations into a new subsidiary. The concept aimed to unlock commercial value and increase development funding, but drew fierce opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation.
Infantino ultimately announced on July 31 that the proposal would not proceed, saying it had created divisions that were no longer compatible with its original objective. FIFA later acknowledged that mistakes had been made and said its leadership needed to improve how decisions and communications were handled.
The retreat did not restore trust among European officials, who have argued that the proposal exposed serious problems in judgment, transparency, and accountability.
UEFA has backed away from a boycott, but not the fight
The latest development is more complicated than a simple victory for either side. On Aug. 27, UEFA said it had received written confirmation from FIFA that FIFA Forward Enterprise had been permanently withdrawn.
That satisfied the immediate conditions UEFA had set for suspending its planned withdrawal from FIFA competitions. European teams are expected to continue participating in FIFA events, but UEFA made clear that the broader dispute remains active.
UEFA’s statement said the underlying crisis hadn’t been resolved and called for institutional change. It also said that if Infantino seeks another mandate, UEFA will work with its partner confederations to ensure member associations have a credible alternative.
The next battle is over accountability
UEFA is pushing for an independent external review of the failed investment proposal rather than relying solely on FIFA’s internal examination. Officials say abandoning the plan doesn’t answer questions about how it was developed and presented.
The pressure has also moved into the legal arena. It is reported that UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint in Switzerland alleging financial mismanagement linked to the abandoned plan, while legal filings in the United States seek evidence connected to the proposal.
The legal and political pressure has intensified as UEFA seeks greater transparency around the proposal and its handling by FIFA officials. FIFA has defended Infantino and rejected efforts to undermine his leadership without due process.
Fun fact: FIFA’s headquarters are in Zurich, Switzerland, where the organization has been based since 1932.
Infantino still has important support
The European backlash doesn’t mean Infantino has lost the entire FIFA membership. FIFA said that after a crisis meeting in Rabat earlier this month, its senior management reaffirmed its full support for the president.
Infantino retains support in parts of the global soccer community, meaning the political fight is far from settled. The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 2027, and Infantino is expected to seek a fourth term, subject to the formal nomination process.
Fun fact: Gianni Infantino became FIFA president in 2016 after winning the election that followed Sepp Blatter’s departure.
The pressure is broader than Italy
Italy’s announcement came after a wave of European criticism. England, Wales, Ireland, Norway, and several Nordic associations have all taken positions against Infantino’s continued leadership, while UEFA has been increasingly direct in challenging the FIFA president.
Six Nordic associations said Aug. 23 that they had lost confidence in Infantino and backed an independent review of the Forward Enterprise proposal. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has also called for Infantino to step down while making clear that he doesn’t intend to run for the FIFA presidency himself.
European opposition is now broader, centered on transparency, accountability, and the balance of power inside world soccer. The dispute could shape alliances well before FIFA’s 2027 election campaign formally begins.
What Italy’s move could mean next
Italy’s decision does not determine the outcome of the FIFA election, nor does it mean that Infantino will leave office. It does, however, reinforce the growing evidence that his once-solid support in Europe has fractured.
The boycott threat has eased, but UEFA has shifted its focus to a broader campaign for institutional reform. If more European associations unite behind that effort, the 2027 election could increasingly center on finding a credible alternative for FIFA leadership. The Forward Enterprise plan may be gone, but the questions it raised about governance and accountability remain unresolved.
Fun fact: Italy has won the FIFA World Cup four times, with its championships coming in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006.
TL;DR
- Italy has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s expected 2027 FIFA reelection bid.
- The FIGC said its decision reflects concerns over governance and international competitions.
- UEFA has provisionally suspended its FIFA competition boycott after receiving assurances that FIFA Forward Enterprise is permanently abandoned.
- UEFA is still demanding governance reforms and an independent review of the failed proposal.
- Infantino retains support outside Europe, so the 2027 FIFA presidential race remains unsettled.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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