The Scottish Football Association has withdrawn its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino's re-election following a dispute over World Cup private investment. The governing body made the decision on Monday, aligning itself with a wider European opposition to a now-abandoned plan that sought to sell commercial stakes in international football to private investors.
Ian Maxwell, the president of the Scottish Football Association, said the organization's position had been clear since a meeting of UEFA member associations. Maxwell stated that the Scottish FA fully agreed with UEFA's position regarding a loss of confidence in FIFA, and he confirmed that Scotland would not vote for Infantino in the upcoming presidential election.
Opposition to World Cup privatisation
The rift followed Infantino's attempt to privatise aspects of the World Cup through a venture named FIFA Forward Enterprise. The proposal sparked severe backlash across global football governing bodies. Confederations representing Europe, Asia, and North, Central America and the Caribbean accused the FIFA president of abandoning his duty, acting with deceit, and placing himself above the collective body that entrusted him with authority.
Financial details and investor interest
Under the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project, FIFA aimed to raise up to 4.2 billion dollars, equivalent to 3.64 billion euros, by selling a minority stake of up to 20 percent to private investors. Among the prospective investors in the project was Thrive Eternal, an investment fund founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of former United States president Donald Trump.
European federations revoke support
Scotland's decision places it alongside a growing group of European national associations that have formally revoked their backing for the Italo-Swiss administrator. Finland, England, the Netherlands, Wales, Ireland, Serbia, and Sweden have also formally withdrawn their support for Infantino's continued presidency.
The Scottish Football Association, founded in 1873, is the governing body for football in Scotland and one of the oldest national associations in the sport. FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, is world football's governing body, responsible for organizing major global competitions and overseeing international football administration.
Infantino support base and election timeline
Despite losing support across Europe, Infantino maintains declared backing from several other regional governing bodies, including the South American Football Confederation and the Confederation of African Football. He also retains the support of six Arab federations, alongside national associations including Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Argentina, and Morocco.
Infantino's standing has been weakened ahead of the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 18, 2027. No challenger has yet come forward to oppose him in the election. The formal deadline for candidates to submit their bids for the FIFA presidency is November 18.
