Ireland and New Zealand withdraw support for Infantino amid FIFA governance crisis

The Republic of Ireland and New Zealand have formally withdrawn their endorsement of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, escalating the political pressure on the Swiss-Italian leader ahead of his re-election bid in March 2027. Their decision follows the collapse of Infantino’s controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, a move that has triggered a significant erosion of support across the global football landscape.

These two nations join a growing cohort of European member associations, including England and Wales, in opposing Infantino’s continued tenure. The opposition is anchored by UEFA, which maintains its boycott of FIFA competitions. The confederation argues that despite the scrapping of the privatisation scheme, there are no guarantees that attempts to commercialise the game in such a manner will not recur.

The English Football Association stated it remains deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance surrounding the failed initiative. This stance persisted despite an apology letter sent by Infantino, with the FA emphasising that the leadership crisis stems from fundamental failures in judgment and stakeholder management. Similarly, the Football Association of Wales declared that Infantino has lost their confidence, citing a pattern of poor leadership and a failure to prioritise the interests of football.

The Scottish Football Association has also aligned itself with the UEFA position, with chief executive Ian Maxwell noting that 55 nations are stronger than one voice. The collective sentiment among these European bodies highlights a broader institutional distrust in Infantino’s management style and his handling of the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which sought to create a new entity to manage commercial rights.

Despite the mounting opposition, Infantino retains significant support from other regions. Mexico, Argentina, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have reaffirmed their backing for the president. Meanwhile, the global players union, FIFPRO, has accused Infantino of a profound abuse of presidential power. In a notable deviation from the UEFA-wide boycott, the French Football Federation has indicated it intends to compete in the upcoming U20 Women’s World Cup.