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In a formal statement, the FIGC confirmed it would no longer back Infantino’s candidacy for the upcoming election in March. The federation cited concerns regarding the FIFA president’s recent initiatives, specifically those related to the governance of the sport and the development of international competitions. This move places Italy alongside several other prominent European nations that have recently distanced themselves from the FIFA leadership.
Growing Opposition and Governance Concerns
The decision by the Italian federation follows a period of intense scrutiny surrounding Infantino’s tenure. Much of the recent backlash stems from a now-aborted proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors. This plan drew sharp criticism from across the footballing world, with three continental confederations accusing the FIFA president of deception. Furthermore, UEFA, the European governing body, had previously raised the possibility of boycotting FIFA competitions in response to the proposal.
FIGC President Giovanni Malago emphasized that Italy intends to align its future efforts with UEFA and other European federations. According to Malago, the goal is to foster a vision of soccer that prioritizes merit, sustainability, solidarity, and the interests of fans. He noted that the Italian federation prefers a model rooted in dialogue and shared responsibility, which he believes has historically allowed the sport to innovate while maintaining its core principles.
A Changing Landscape for the FIFA Presidency
Italy’s withdrawal of support adds to a wave of dissent across Europe. Earlier this month, the soccer federations of England, Wales, and Ireland also rescinded their backing for Infantino. The opposition is particularly strong in the Nordic region, where Norway has explicitly called for the president to step down. A joint statement issued by Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and the Faeroe Islands declared that they had lost confidence in his leadership.
Despite this mounting pressure, Infantino retains support from various other member federations. Among those backing his reelection are Morocco, which is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup, and Qatar, where the president resided during the 2022 tournament. Lebanon, which granted him citizenship earlier this year, also remains in his corner. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, the host of the 2034 World Cup, has yet to publicly declare its position despite the president’s well-documented political ties to the nation.
Infantino has served as FIFA president since 2016 and was initially expected to run unopposed in the upcoming election in Morocco. With the deadline for nominating challengers set for November 18, the recent surge in opposition has introduced a new layer of uncertainty to the proceedings.
