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· collected 2026-08-27 · by AFP; Reuters
Italy's football federation has withdrawn its support for embattled FIFA President Gianni Infantino due to his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup. The move comes after several European national associations, including England and Ireland, have also dropped their backing of Infantino. However, Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro is among a group of former footballers who continue to support Infantino, citing his efforts to promote player representation in the sport. Infantino's failed plan would have seen private investment secured for FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-27,
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Story summary
Italy's football federation (FIGC) has withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, joining several other European national associations in opposing his leadership. This decision was made over Infantino's plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup, which he later abandoned due to growing criticism. The FIGC statement emphasized that this move is intended to clearly express their position on Infantino's initiatives regarding international competitions' governance and development. However, FIGC head Giovanni Malago also stated that Italy will continue to work with UEFA and other European federations to promote a vision of football based on merit, solidarity, sustainability, and fan centrality. This move comes as Infantino faces increasing pressure to step down from his position at FIFA due to his failed attempt to secure private investment in tournaments.
Written for “Italian Backing for Infantino” on 2026-08-31,
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Leaning score +0.35 for article 2654 (medium confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-08-27
Italy’s football federation (FIGC) has withdrawn its support for embattled FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup.
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federation → withdraw → Cup
“This decision is intended to clearly and transparently express the FIGC’s position… regarding the recent initiatives promoted by the FIFA president concerning the governance and development of international competitions,” said a FIGC statement on Wednesday.
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statement → intend → Wednesday
The move comes as a host of European national associations, including England, Ireland and Wales, have already scrapped their backing of Infantino, who is seeking re-election at next year’s FIFA Congress.
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who → come → Congress
Infantino has come under increasing pressure to step down as head of world football’s governing body over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
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Infantino → come → Cup
“We will continue to work alongside UEFA and the other European federations to promote a vision of football based on merit, solidarity, sustainability and the central role of the fans,” said FIGC head Giovanni Malago.
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Malago → continue → fans
“We identify with a model of dialogue, listening and shared responsibility which has, to date, enabled football to grow, innovate and, at the same time, defend its founding principles.”
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which → identify → principles
However, Italy’s World Cup-winning captain, Fabio Cannavaro, and his Brazilian counterpart, Cafu, have joined a group of former footballers backing Infantino.
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captain → win → Infantino
Their social media messages expressing support came after another group of former players, led by Frenchman Mikael Silvestre, called for “change” in FIFA’s leadership.
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group → express → leadership
“Over the last ten years, world football has improved,” and footballers “have once again taken centre stage,” Cannavaro – who was part of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning team, posted on social media on Wednesday.
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who → improve → Wednesday
“Infantino has done a great job…
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Infantino → do → job
Not acknowledging that would be intellectually dishonest,” added the former centre-back, who coaches the Uzbekistan national team.
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who → acknowledge → team
Similar messages were posted on Tuesday night by Brazilians Cafu and Roberto Carlos, Argentines Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso, Colombia’s Ivan Ramiro Cordoba and Mexico’s Jared Borgetti.
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messages → post → Cafu
“We have followed the work of FIFA and president Infantino to promote the representation of players in football, something that didn’t exist before,” wrote Cafu, who lifted the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002.
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who → follow → 2002
Infantino, the 56-year-old former UEFA secretary general, had the broad backing of European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.
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he → have → 2016
European football body UEFA said it would formally withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances that Infantino’s failed sell-off plan will not be revived.
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plan → say → assurances
UEFA, which oversees European football, had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions.
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which → oversee → competitions
