Saudi FA backs Infantino as FIFA crisis deepens

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has thrown its support behind FIFA president Gianni Infantino as opposition to his leadership grows ahead of the 2027 election. The federation said its backing was intended to help restore unity within football’s governing community and maintain the sport’s development for all stakeholders.

The federation welcomed Infantino’s acknowledgment that mistakes had been made, his apology and his decision to abandon a proposal that would have opened World Cup revenue to private investors. The plan had placed the FIFA president at the centre of a widening governance dispute after critics accused him of pursuing it without sufficient consultation.

Infantino’s withdrawal of the proposal has not ended the controversy. Several leading European federations have now moved away from him in preparation for the March 2027 vote, while he remains the only declared candidate. The Confederation of African Football is among those supporting his position.

Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the 2034 World Cup and has expanded its role in the sport through major investment in its domestic league. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are among the high-profile players currently competing in the Saudi championship, giving the federation added influence as the FIFA dispute develops.