Key Takeaways:
- The Swiss Football Association (SFV) withdrew its backing for Gianni Infantino’s FIFA presidential bid following a reverse decision on September 25
- Infantino, seeking re-election in March, recently abandoned his plan to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments after mounting criticism
- Multiple European football associations, including those in England, Wales, France, and Serbia, have already withdrawn their endorsements ahead of the election
SFV Reassesses Support
The Swiss Football Association (SFV) announced on Wednesday that it has formally withdrawn support for Gianni Infantino’s candidacy for another term as FIFA president. The SFV’s executive committee reversed their decision from June during a meeting held on September 25, citing a thorough evaluation of developments in recent months.
According to a statement from the SFV, “The decision follows a comprehensive reassessment of developments over the past few months.” The association expressed growing concerns over “various incidents [that] raise fundamental questions regarding leadership, governance, transparency and decision-making processes within FIFA.”
The Swiss FA have announced that they have withdrawn their support of Gianni Infantino candidacy for another term as FIFA President.
They state that "various events raise fundamental questions about leadership, governance, transparency & decision-making processes within FIFA." pic.twitter.com/hvgmCLFuup
— Craig King – 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗦𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘀EN (@FootballSwissEN) September 30, 2026
Mounting Opposition and Election Outlook
Fifty-six-year-old Gianni Infantino, who has served as FIFA president since 2016, is seeking re-election in March. His recent attempt in July to sell a stake in major FIFA competitions, such as the World Cup, sparked controversy and was ultimately dropped following significant opposition.
The SFV’s decision to withdraw support reflects a wider trend within European football. Football associations in England, Wales, France, Serbia, and several other European nations have already retracted their endorsements ahead of the upcoming election. UEFA has committed to presenting an alternative candidate for the presidency before the November deadline.
Calls for Reform and Unanswered Questions
Infantino, who has faced intensified calls for his resignation, addressed member associations earlier this month in a letter, stating his willingness to discuss reforms. Despite this, the SFV maintains that significant concerns about FIFA’s governance and decision-making remain unresolved. The organisation stated, “As these have not been convincingly clarified, we cannot justify continuing to support Gianni Infantino’s candidacy.”
