Wales first nation to withdraw support for Infantino's FIFA re-election

Wales have become the first national football association to publicly withdraw support for Gianni Infantino's bid for another term as FIFA president following the collapse of his controversial World Cup investment proposal.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) announced that it had withdrawn its backing for Infantino's re-election for the 2027-31 presidential term, citing concerns over governance and leadership at world football's governing body.

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"The Football Association of Wales confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president for the 2027-2031 term," the FAW said in a statement.

The decision comes days after FIFA abandoned plans to sell a minority stake in the commercial rights of its competitions through a new entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), following widespread opposition from football's continental confederations.

The proposal triggered a governance crisis, with UEFA threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if the plan went ahead. CONCACAF also criticised the proposal, while the Asian Football Confederation expressed solidarity with the opposition and raised "deep concern" over the process.

Following FIFA's decision to shelve the plan, both UEFA and CONCACAF issued strongly worded statements questioning the organisation's leadership.

Explaining its decision, the FAW said: "The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement have led us to a position where Mr Infantino has lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football.

"Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept."

Infantino is expected to seek a fourth and final term as FIFA president when the governing body holds its next presidential election in March.