The Italian Football Federation has joined other nations in withdrawing its backing for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The FIGC announced its decision not to support Infantino’s reelection bid in March due to concerns regarding recent FIFA governance and international competition development efforts. Infantino faced criticism for his now-abandoned plan to sell shares of the World Cup to private equity investors. This move led to accusations of deception by three continental confederations and a threat of boycott from UEFA.
FIGC President Giovanni Malagò emphasized the federation’s commitment to working with UEFA and other European associations to uphold principles of merit, solidarity, sustainability, and fan engagement in soccer. The federation advocates for a model of dialogue, listening, and shared responsibility that has historically fostered soccer’s growth and innovation while preserving its core values.
Support for Infantino’s reelection bid has waned, with England, Wales, Ireland, and Norway withdrawing their endorsements. Additionally, a joint statement from five Nordic countries expressed a lack of confidence in Infantino’s leadership. Despite initial expectations of an uncontested reelection, FIFA has set a deadline for potential challengers to nominate by November 18.
While some member federations continue to support Infantino, including 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco and Qatar, others like Saudi Arabia have not publicly endorsed him. UEFA is expected to retract its boycott threat against FIFA competitions following assurances that Infantino’s controversial World Cup sell-off plan will not be revived. This decision will allow European teams to participate in upcoming events, including the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Infantino faced backlash for his proposed $20 billion subsidiary to handle FIFA commercial rights, which was swiftly retracted after widespread criticism. UEFA demanded assurances that a similar plan would not resurface, leading to the withdrawal of the boycott threat. The European soccer governing body signaled its lack of confidence in Infantino’s leadership and expressed intentions to prevent his reelection in March 2023.