Belgian FA withholds Infantino re-election support over unresolved FIFA issues

The French Football Federation has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth term as FIFA president, citing the lack of transparency surrounding an abandoned proposal to sell private stakes in a FIFA commercial company overseeing competitions including the World Cup. France plans consultations with confederations, national associations, players, supporters and governance experts to develop proposals for comprehensive FIFA reform. Belgium has also withheld support unless FIFA provides satisfactory answers about its suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban at the 2026 World Cup, reportedly after U.S. President Donald Trump contacted Infantino and Balogun was allowed to play against Belgium. Belgium says its requests for justification and safeguards have gone unanswered, has asked for the issue to be discussed at the next FIFA Council meeting and may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Belgian federation has also criticized FIFA’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would have sold private stakes in World Cup commercial rights for about $4.2 billion before being withdrawn after backlash. FIFA says Infantino will contest the March 2027 election, currently with no declared opponent, although CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is viewed as a possible challenger; UEFA and other bodies are seeking greater accountability, while South American and African confederations continue to back Infantino.