European football federations' rift with FIFA's Infantino ahead of 2027 election

Key developments

1. Aug 26, 2026

   Italy's football federation withdraws support for Gianni Infantino's 2027 FIFA presidency bid, aligning with UEFA and Aleksander Čeferin amid governance concerns.

   8 sources on this →
2. Aug 27, 2026

   UEFA drops its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after assurances the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprises privatization plan will not proceed, clearing the way for the U-20 Women's World Cup.

3. Aug 27, 2026

   Saudi Arabia's football federation publicly backs Infantino after FIFA abandons its Forward Enterprise plan, urging unity and direct dialogue among stakeholders.

   14 sources on this →
4. Aug 27, 2026

   UEFA says it may pursue Swiss criminal charges against Infantino over secret plans to sell World Cup stakes, with Čeferin calling Trump's interference in FIFA affairs 'shocking'.

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Sports

UEFA Files Swiss Complaint Over Infantino Plan

UEFA says it may pursue criminal action in Switzerland against FIFA president Gianni Infantino and other officials over secret plans to sell World Cup stakes, amid investigations into pricing and governance. Ceferin has called Donald Trump's interference in FIFA affairs shocking as Infantino faces mounting scrutiny, including the sacking of a critic over dissent to the World Cup sell-off and broader protests from UEFA officials.

125 sources

Sports

Saudi Arabia backs Infantino after FIFA abandons plan

Saudi Arabia’s SAFF has publicly backed FIFA President Gianni Infantino and urged direct dialogue among football stakeholders after the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, welcoming FIFA’s acknowledgment of mistakes and the decision to scrap the proposal. The statements emphasize unity within the sport and support for Infantino as he leads efforts to grow the game globally despite ongoing backlash.