World Cup rights gamble backfires: Wales withdraw support for Infantino’s FIFA re-election bid | Football News

Wales have become the first home nation to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to remain FIFA president after his proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other FIFA competitions was abandoned.The Football Association of Wales (FAW) said it will no longer back Infantino’s re-election campaign for the 2027-2031 term, following concerns over the failed investment plan.FIFA had proposed raising up to $4.2 billion by selling about a 20% stake in a new entity that would manage the commercial rights of competitions including the World Cup. However, the proposal was withdrawn on Friday after facing strong opposition from stakeholders.With the plan shelved, attention has shifted to the possible impact on Infantino’s chances of securing another term as FIFA president.The proposal had also triggered strong criticism from across world football. UEFA had warned it could boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if the plan went ahead.On Saturday, both UEFA and Concacaf, the governing body for football in North, Central America and the Caribbean, issued statements criticising FIFA’s leadership following Infantino’s decision to withdraw the proposal.The FAW is among the first national football associations to publicly oppose Infantino’s re-election.In a statement, the FAW confirmed “its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Gianni Infantino for re-election as Fifa president for the 2027-2031 term”.Explaining its decision, the Welsh governing body 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.”