The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term, dealing a fresh setback to the embattled football administrator ahead of the March 2027 FIFA presidential election.
FIGC President Giovanni Malagò announced the decision on Wednesday, August 26, saying Italy would instead work closely with UEFA and other European football associations on the future direction of the sport. The federation cited concerns surrounding recent FIFA initiatives involving governance and the development of international competitions.
Italy’s decision comes amid a widening dispute between Infantino and several European football bodies over the governance of FIFA and a now-abandoned proposal involving private investment in the organisation’s competitions, including the World Cup.
The move is particularly significant because Italy had previously backed Infantino. Its withdrawal adds another major European federation to the growing list of associations reconsidering their support for the FIFA president.
Malagò said the FIGC would continue working with UEFA and other European federations to promote a football model centred on sporting merit, solidarity, sustainability and the interests of supporters.
The Italian federation’s position therefore goes beyond the immediate controversy surrounding Infantino. It represents a broader alignment with UEFA’s push for greater consultation and transparency in the management of international football.
The FIGC said its decision was intended to make its position clear regarding FIFA’s recent approach to governance and the development of international competitions.
Italy’s new stance also places the country alongside a growing group of European associations that have withdrawn their backing for Infantino’s re-election.
Among the European federations that have taken similar steps are:
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- Ireland
- Denmark
- Finland
- Serbia
- New Zealand
The accumulation of withdrawals has transformed what initially appeared to be an isolated dispute into a broader challenge to Infantino’s leadership.
Much of the opposition to Infantino intensified after FIFA explored the creation of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a commercial structure that could have opened part of the organisation’s tournament business to private investors.
The proposal became particularly controversial because it involved commercial rights connected to major FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
FIFA subsequently abandoned the proposal following strong opposition from UEFA and other football stakeholders. The controversy nevertheless continued to fuel concerns about governance, transparency and the extent to which national associations are consulted before major decisions are taken.
For European federations, the issue has developed into a question of confidence in FIFA’s leadership rather than simply disagreement over one commercial proposal.
That distinction matters because Infantino is seeking another term as FIFA president, with the next election scheduled for March 2027.
The Italian FA’s decision comes at a particularly difficult moment for Infantino.
The FIFA president, who has led the organisation since 2016, has faced increasing criticism from European football authorities and other influential figures over his leadership style and recent decisions. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have all been involved in pressure surrounding his presidency.
UEFA’s leadership has also questioned whether Infantino still has sufficient confidence among key stakeholders to continue in the role.
European Leagues President Claudius Schaefer went further on Wednesday, arguing that Infantino’s leadership has no future at FIFA and criticising what he described as insufficient transparency and excessive centralisation of decision-making.
However, opposition to Infantino is not universal.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and CONMEBOL remain among the bodies that have expressed support for the FIFA president, highlighting a significant geographical divide over his leadership.
The dispute has also threatened FIFA’s relationship with UEFA.
European football authorities had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions after losing confidence in Infantino and demanding assurances that controversial commercial plans would not be revived. UEFA is now preparing to lift that boycott threat after receiving assurances from FIFA that the World Cup investment proposal will not return.
That development could ease one part of the crisis, but it has not resolved the political dispute surrounding Infantino’s presidency.
Italy’s withdrawal of support demonstrates that European federations can separate their participation in FIFA competitions from their position on the organisation’s leadership.
The FIGC’s decision therefore keeps pressure on Infantino even as the immediate threat of a UEFA boycott appears to be receding.
Italy’s withdrawal does not by itself prevent Infantino from seeking re-election. FIFA’s presidential contest is determined by votes from the organisation’s member associations, meaning the final balance will depend on support across all confederations.
Nevertheless, the loss of another prominent European federation carries political significance.
Italy is one of Europe’s most established football nations and a major member of UEFA. Its decision strengthens the bloc of European associations calling for changes in FIFA’s leadership and governance.
The developing divide can be broadly viewed through two positions:
- European opposition: Increasing concern over governance, consultation and the abandoned private-investment plan.
- Support elsewhere: CAF and CONMEBOL remain supportive of Infantino, while some national associations outside Europe continue to back him.
The balance between those groups will become increasingly important as the 2027 election approaches.
Infantino previously enjoyed broad support among European federations, including Italy, when he first became FIFA president in 2016.
The current wave of defections shows how sharply that relationship has changed.
Italy’s decision does not guarantee a change at the top of FIFA, but it adds to the pressure surrounding Infantino at a time when European football leaders are seeking greater influence over the organisation’s future direction.
With the FIFA presidential election approaching in March 2027, the coming months are likely to focus increasingly on whether opponents can produce a credible alternative candidate and build a coalition capable of challenging Infantino.
For now, the Italian FA has made its position clear: it no longer supports Infantino’s re-election and intends to work with UEFA and other European federations on a different vision for the governance of world football.
