English FA to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino after scrapped World Cup sell-off

The English Football Association is expected to stop backing Gianni Infantino's re-election as Fifa president following the abandonment of his controversial World Cup privatization plan. Infantino's leadership has come under intense scrutiny after his plan to sell a 20% stake in the World Cup to private investors was rejected by three confederations.

Wales was the first association to officially withdraw its support, prompting England to prepare a letter to Fifa to follow suit. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham is set to deliver this letter to Fifa, adding pressure on the Swiss-Italian leader. Infantino announced the cancellation of the plan on Friday night, after it was initially revealed earlier in the week.

His decision came under fire from three confederations - Concacaf, the Asian Football Confederation, and Uefa. Uefa has threatened to boycott all Fifa competitions, including the Women's World Cup in 2023 and the 2030 World Cup, expressing dissatisfaction with Infantino's "shabby, backroom deal". The FA has called for a comprehensive review of his leadership, while other senior figures like Uefa's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour have accused Infantino of deceiving Fifa staff.

Uefa has hinted at the possibility of a no-confidence vote, but such a move is considered unlikely without a strong majority of Fifa's 211 member nations. Despite the mounting pressure, Infantino will still run for re-election in March 2027.