Infantino set to receive World Cup win but loses Italy's support
The pressure on the embattled FIFA president remains immense but he receives a major boost from one of his most vocal opponents.
UEFA has decided not to proceed with its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments in the lead-up to the Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland next month. The organization has requested the withdrawal of FIFA president Gianni Infantino's contested World Cup sell-off plan and assurances that similar schemes will not be reconsidered. Italy has disavowed its backing for Infantino's bid for the FIFA presidency next year, and France may also weigh its position.
UEFA's move to drop its boycott threat follows receiving assurances that FIFA's World Cup stake sale and other similar initiatives will not be resurrected. Italy's withdrawal of support for Infantino, along with France's potential reconsideration, marks Italy as the latest national football federation to distance itself from the FIFA chief.
Belgium's Philippe Diallo, president of the French Federation, stated that his federation would decide on its stance during a meeting next month. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has also withdrawn its support for Infantino's candidacy in the upcoming FIFA presidential election. Infantino, who still enjoys support from the African and South American confederations, plans to seek re-election for a fourth term next year and faces strong opposition from various regional governing bodies, including UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF.
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