Gianni Infantino loses Swiss FA backing over FIFA concerns

Gianni Infantino has lost the backing of the Swiss Football Association, removing support from his home federation ahead of the next FIFA presidential election and adding to growing opposition to his leadership. The ASF had endorsed his bid in June 2026 but has now reversed that position after reviewing developments within the governing body.

The Swiss federation cited unresolved concerns about FIFA’s governance, transparency, decision-making and accountability. It pointed to the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, announced in August, which would have placed World Cup revenues in a company open to private investors. The federation also raised the handling of Folarin Balogun’s suspension during the World Cup. The United States forward’s automatic ban after a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina was changed to a suspended one-match sanction after Donald Trump asked Infantino to reconsider the dismissal.

The ASF also referred to FIFA’s decision in November 2025 to give Trump a newly created peace award, although the organisation did not clarify how the prize was decided. Swiss FA president Peter Knäbel said Infantino’s proposal for consultations on FIFA reform was welcome, but that key questions about responsibility and procedure remained unanswered.

Infantino is still the only declared candidate for the March 2027 election, with nominations open until November 18. His loss of Swiss support follows opposition from several federations, including UEFA, whose president Aleksander Ceferin has led criticism of his administration.