Infantino receives key support from 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia

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FT Desk

Gianni Infantino has received some key backing from Saudi Arabia amid pressure surrounding his presidency.

UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF are all campaigning for his removal as FIFA President following the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposals.

FFE was essentially a new commercial company for FIFA's biggest competitions, including the men's and women's World Cups and the Club World Cup. FIFA valued the proposed entity at around $20 billion and planned to sell a 20% stake to private investors, potentially raising about $4.2 billion.

The money was supposed to help FIFA increase its football-development distributions to more than $10 billion, with member associations potentially receiving substantially more funding.

The plan caused a huge backlash because UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC argued that FIFA was attempting to commercialise and partially privatise the commercial rights to the World Cup without adequate consultation or governance approval.

UEFA's 55 member associations even agreed to a potential boycott of FIFA competitions. There was also serious opposition inside FIFA, including from senior officials. Faced with the backlash, Infantino withdrew the proposal on 1 August 2026, saying that it would not proceed. FIFA has since given assurances that the proposal will not be revived

Infantino released a statement apologising for the lack of communication surrounding the plans, but he crucially did not apologise for the plans themselves.

Countries like England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Serbia, Sweden, and Finland have all publicly withdrawn their support for Infantino.

But, he has received backing from the African confederation, Argentina and now Saudi Arabia, among other nations.

Saudi Arabia are already the confirmed hosts for the 2034 World Cup.

Saudi Arabia statement

The Saudis said in a statement:

"Following its meeting today, the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation agreed the following position on the latest developments in global football.

"SAFF welcomes the acknowledgement of mistakes, the apology, the decision not to proceed with the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and the commitment to review the process, as set out in the recent joint open letter from the FIFA President and Secretary General. These were important first steps.

"The letter also committed FIFA to learning from the experience, improving its processes, communications and interactions, strengthening governance and addressing the challenges ahead in a united and transparent manner.

"Delivering on these commitments will be essential to restoring confidence. However, the continuing divisions within the game demonstrate the need for broader and more direct dialogue.

"Football can only move forward through unity. SAFF therefore encourages direct, face-to-face dialogue among FIFA's leadership, FIFA Council members, confederations and member associations, with all concerns addressed openly, constructively and transparently. The focus must remain on the good of the game, its players and its fans. As a member association of the Asian Football Confederation, SAFF will continue to work with the AFC, with full consideration and respect for the role of its President and stands ready to support constructive engagement wherever helpful.

"The past three editions of the FIFA World Cup have demonstrated what football can achieve when its global family works together. The FIFA President's contribution to growing the game worldwide over almost a decade should also be recognised. At this time, SAFF supports the continued efforts of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and FIFA's leadership to restore unity across the football family and continue growing the game for the benefit of all."

It was announced today that UEFA are planning to launch criminal legal proceedings against Infantino.