FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing growing opposition ahead of the election for his final term in March 2027, with several European football associations withdrawing their support following the controversy surrounding his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise investment plan.
Infantino’s re-election had appeared largely assured until the plan, which sought to invite private companies to invest in the World Cup, triggered criticism from football authorities.
FIFA subsequently shelved the proposal, while Infantino apologised for errors surrounding the initiative.
He has since secured the backing of FIFA’s senior executives at a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco.
The final decision, however, rests with FIFA’s 211 member associations.
Each association has one vote, meaning countries such as San Marino and the Bahamas carry the same voting weight as major football nations including Brazil and England.
Confederations such as UEFA and the Confederation of African Football can endorse candidates and lobby their members, but individual associations ultimately cast the votes.
While UEFA has publicly criticised Infantino, the African football confederation has backed him.
No candidate has formally emerged to challenge him so far, with the deadline for nominations set for November 18.
Nations opposing Infantino
Opposition to Infantino has been concentrated largely in Europe. Finland was among the first associations to withdraw its support, followed by England, Wales and Serbia. Sweden, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have subsequently indicated that they will not back the FIFA president’s re-election, PUNCH Online and itv reported Saturday.
Romania and the Czech Republic have also suggested they will not support Infantino, although neither association had formally declared its position at the time of the report.
Jordan is the only non-European country identified as having publicly said it will not support Infantino.
Its football federation is led by former FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who accused FIFA’s leadership of blackmail.
He said Jordan had been awaiting money for reaching the final of the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar in December and claimed he was told that supporting Infantino would help the federation receive the funds.
Prince Ali later confirmed that Jordan had received the outstanding money.
FULL LIST: Nations publicly opposing or withdrawing support
1. Finland
2. England
3. Wales
4. Serbia
5. Sweden
6. Greece
7. Albania
8. Croatia
9. Germany
10. Denmark
11. Netherlands
12. Norway
13. Jordan
Not formally opposed but indicating they may not back Infantino:
1. Romania
2. Czech Republic
Nations backing Infantino
Infantino has also retained support from several associations across different confederations. Qatar, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Lebanon and Morocco publicly backed him after the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan was withdrawn.
Their support was followed by endorsements from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Bhutan, the Philippines, Mexico, Argentina and Paraguay.
Other associations with a history of supporting Infantino, including Egypt, Niger and Mauritania, have voiced support in recent weeks but stopped short of issuing full endorsements.
Full list: Nations publicly backing Infantino
1. Qatar
2. Sri Lanka
3. Kuwait
4. Lebanon
5. Morocco
6. Democratic Republic of Congo
7. Indonesia
8. Bhutan
9. Philippines
10. Mexico
11. Argentina
12. Paraguay
Nations voicing support but stopping short of full endorsements:
1. Egypt
2. Niger
3. Mauritania
The positions outlined above are based on the associations publicly identified in the report. With 211 FIFA members entitled to vote and the candidate nomination deadline still ahead, the balance of support could change before the March 2027 election.
