English FA to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president over World Cup scandal

FIFA president Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors continues to ripple throughout the sport. After numerous governing bodies rejected that deal, Infantino's job has now come under fire.

When Infantino runs for re-election as FIFA president in 2027, he'll do so without England's support. The English FA is reportedly drafted a letter pulling its support for Infantino ahead of the election, per The Times.

They aren't the only country to express that opinion. The Welsh FA was the first to announce it would not support Infantino's re-election bid. In a statement Monday, the Welsh FA cited "failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement" led to its decision, per rfi.fr.

"The Football Association of Wales hereby 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 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."

Both the English FA's reported statement and the Welsh FA's statement come days after both UEFA and Concacaf attacked Infantino over the proposal.

UEFA, which has consistently been against the deal, on Saturday said Infantino failed to live up to the promises of trust and transparency he made when first elected FIFA president. It then ripped the World Cup proposal as a "shabby, back room, opaque deal."

"On both these promises, he has failed to deliver. The shabby, back room, opaque deal he hatched and tried to force through was anything but transparent."

Concacaf also took Infantino to task, saying the proposal was an "egregious act of poor governance and leadership."

"It is a symptom of leadership that has stopped putting football first. This recent unilateral and egregious act of poor governance and leadership follows a pattern of missteps and similar behavior. A comprehensive reckoning with this presidency is imperative."

Under Infantino's proposal, stakes of the World Cup would be sold to private investors. In order to manage that new leadership format, a company would need to be formed, presumably one with Infantino in a leadership role which reportedly could have led to him receiving tens of millions in yearly salary, per reports.

That proposal was roundly rejected by governining bodies in the sport. UEFA quickly announced a boycott of the World Cup until the deal was dead, and wanted assurances this type of proposal would never be brought up again. Concacaf questioned Infantino's leadership shortly after the proposal leaked.

Days later, FIFA announced the proposal was officially scrapped.

That news, while welcome by many, has not quieted disdain for Infantino.

While Infantino wouldn't be up for re-election until March 2027, it's notable that some associations have already come out against Infantino. Soccer journalist Henry Winter believes it might not take that long, and that Infantino's exit — possibly due to a resignation — is "inevitable."

Infantino is the only candidate up for the role of FIFA president in 2027 so far, though that could change following the English FA and Welsh FA coming out in opposition of him.

There are other ways for Infantino to be removed from the role. He could resign, though there's no indication he'll do that at this time. He could also be removed as FIFA presdient if 43 member associations trigger a no confidence vote.

Things haven't reached that point yet, though could escalate quickly following Monday's developments.