The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president, citing unresolved concerns about transparency, governance and controversial decisions made by world football’s governing body.
The Belgian federation announced its position on Monday, September 7, 2026, a day after FIFA confirmed that Infantino intends to contest the presidential election scheduled for March 2027. The Swiss-Italian administrator is currently the only declared candidate for the position.
Belgium’s decision adds to mounting opposition among European football associations and comes as Infantino faces scrutiny over his abandoned private-investment proposal and FIFA’s handling of a disciplinary decision involving United States forward Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup.
A major source of tension is FIFA’s decision to overturn Balogun’s suspension ahead of the United States’ knockout-stage meeting with Belgium at the 2026 World Cup.
Balogun had received a red card during the United States’ last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The resulting suspension would ordinarily have ruled him out of the subsequent match against Belgium.
FIFA later removed the suspension, allowing the American forward to feature against the Belgians. The decision attracted scrutiny after reports that US President Donald Trump contacted Infantino concerning the case.
The RBFA has continued to seek an explanation of the decision-making process. Belgian officials say their questions have not received satisfactory answers nearly two months after the incident.
The federation has now asked FIFA to place the Balogun matter on the agenda for the FIFA Council’s next meeting on October 15.
The Belgian federation is seeking greater clarity on:
- How the decision to overturn Balogun’s suspension was reached.
- The regulatory basis for changing the disciplinary ruling.
- How similar cases will be handled in the future.
- FIFA’s broader decision-making and governance procedures.
- The circumstances surrounding the abandoned private-investment proposal.
Belgium’s opposition also extends beyond the Balogun controversy.
The RBFA has raised concerns about FIFA Forward Enterprise, an initiative linked to plans to bring private investment into commercial rights connected to FIFA competitions.
The proposal faced strong resistance from several football authorities before Infantino abandoned it in July. UEFA and other confederations questioned the consultation process and the proposed changes to FIFA’s commercial structure.
The controversy has since developed into a wider dispute over governance and the balance of power within international football.
Belgium says it wants FIFA to provide clear explanations about how major decisions surrounding the project were reached and what safeguards will apply to future initiatives.
Belgium’s decision follows a series of withdrawals of support by European football associations.
The English FA, Welsh FA and several other European federations have already distanced themselves from Infantino’s re-election campaign. Italy also withdrew its backing in August, while Sweden announced that it would not support him.
UEFA has also been at the centre of the wider dispute with FIFA over governance and the abandoned investment proposal. The European governing body has pushed for greater transparency and has threatened further action over the controversy.
However, Infantino continues to retain significant support outside Europe, meaning opposition from European associations does not automatically prevent his re-election.
FIFA confirmed on Sunday that Infantino remains committed to seeking another term as president.
The announcement came amid growing criticism of his leadership, particularly following the collapse of the private-investment plan. If re-elected in March 2027, Infantino would remain in office until 2031. He has served as FIFA president since 2016 and was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.
At present, Infantino is the only officially declared candidate, although the political landscape could change before nominations close.
The election will ultimately be decided by FIFA’s 211 member associations, making the position of individual national federations strategically important.
The immediate focus is likely to shift to FIFA’s response to Belgium’s demands, particularly the request to discuss the Balogun case at the October 15 FIFA Council meeting.
The dispute also places additional pressure on Infantino to address concerns about transparency before the 2027 election.
For Belgium, the decision is not simply about opposing a candidate. The federation says it wants clearer institutional safeguards and greater accountability in FIFA’s decision-making.
The coming months could therefore determine whether Infantino can rebuild support among European associations or whether the growing divide over FIFA governance will become a defining issue of the 2027 presidential election.
