The Swiss Football Association (SFV) has announced its decision to withdraw support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's re-election bid. This move comes amid growing concerns over Infantino's leadership, governance, and transparency within the world football governing body. The SFV's executive board met on Friday and decided to withdraw its support, which was initially declared in June 2026.
Infantino's proposal to create a commercial subsidiary to run FIFA's major events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup, sparked widespread backlash in July. The plan would have allowed private investors to acquire stakes in a company created under the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative. However, the proposal was quickly shelved due to the intense criticism that followed.
The SFV cited Infantino's FFE plans and the lifting of red-carded United States forward Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension during this year's World Cup as key concerns. The suspension was lifted following a phone call to Infantino from US President Donald Trump. SFV President Peter Knabel emphasized that Swiss football's governing body expects FIFA's leadership to uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and institutional responsibility.
UEFA, the European football governing body, has been leading the opposition to Infantino, calling openly for his removal. As a UEFA member, the SFV's decision to withdraw support for Infantino carries significant weight, given that both FIFA and UEFA are based in Switzerland. The SFV insisted that its decision does not signal a move away from constructive cooperation within FIFA and the global football community.
Despite the SFV's withdrawal of support, Infantino retains the backing of 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia, as well as African football's governing body CAF and South America's CONMEBOL. Candidate nominations for next March's FIFA election must be submitted by November 18, and Infantino is currently the only candidate.
The SFV emphasized its special responsibility as the association for the country where FIFA and UEFA are based. The organization vowed to continue championing transparency, credible and reliable structures, and rules-based decision-making processes. The SFV called for a strong and united global football community characterized by integrity.
Infantino's proposals for a consultation with national federations to reform FIFA's governance have been seen as a positive step towards improving the situation. However, key questions regarding the background, responsibilities, and decision-making processes remain unanswered, according to Knabel. The SFV's decision highlights the growing concerns over Infantino's leadership and the need for greater transparency and accountability within FIFA.
Key points
- The Swiss Football Association withdraws support for Gianni Infantino's FIFA presidential re-election bid due to concerns over leadership, governance, and transparency.
