One statement, one support lost
The list keeps growing. The Italian Football Federation announced this afternoon that it is withdrawing its backing for Gianni Infantino’s bid for the FIFA presidency. The election is set for March 2027.
The FIGC statement leaves little room for doubt. The call was made “in full alignment with UEFA and its president Aleksander Čeferin”. In plain terms: Italy has picked a side, and it is not the one backing the incumbent.
This is no isolated blow. For months, several European federations have been challenging Infantino’s line on governance and the growth of international competitions. The FFF has already said it will not vote for him. Denmark has also walked away.
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Malago lines Italy up with Nyon
Giovanni Malago, the FIGC president, confirmed Italy’s desire to move even closer to UEFA and the other federations across the continent. “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 supporters,” he said.
The Italian chief also stressed the model he wants to see in place: “a model of dialogue, listening and shared responsibility” that should allow football to grow while “defending its fundamental principles”.
Seven months before the vote
The calendar is not doing Infantino any favours. Losing one of his European backers seven months out from the ballot is never trivial. And Italy is not just any federation in the continental pecking order.
So the question now is how many more will follow before March 2027. Because right now, the momentum is going one way only.
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