The Saudi Football Federation (SAFF), a strong contender to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, has publicly reaffirmed its unwavering support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This declaration comes at a crucial time, as Infantino faces significant criticism following the controversial and ultimately failed proposal to sell shares of the World Cup’s commercial rights (referred to as FFE) to private investors.
The SAFF welcomed FIFA’s acknowledgment of issues regarding the FFE project, noting that the global football body had issued an apology to its member federations and provided assurances that such a plan would not be pursued again. In addition to expressing its continued backing for Infantino, the Saudi Football Federation urged other member associations to set aside differences and foster reunification within the global football family. A statement released by the SAFF reiterated their stance: “At this stage, the SAFF continues to support Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, as well as leaders of other FIFA institutions, to contribute to the rebuilding of unity in the whole football family and continue to develop the game to be more prosperous and for the benefit of all.”
This steadfast support for Infantino is widely perceived as a strategic move for Saudi Arabia, potentially strengthening its bid to host the 2030 World Cup and further expanding its influence in global football governance. The Saudi Public Investment Fund has already established significant partnerships with FIFA, including extensive preparations for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 and sponsorship of this year’s World Cup hosted in North America. This continued alignment underscores the strong relationship that has developed between Saudi Arabia and FIFA in recent years. The SAFF notably praised Infantino’s leadership, crediting him with making the last three World Cups more exciting and providing greater opportunities for teams worldwide.
Infantino has been the subject of considerable criticism and even intimidation from various member federations following the fallout from the failed FFE plan. While the European Football Association (UEFA) recently indicated a move to ease pressure on the FIFA President, the underlying threat of a potential World Cup boycott by some nations still looms large. In a separate, significant development, the Italian Football Federation has explicitly announced its withdrawal of support for Infantino, stating it would not endorse the Swiss executive for a new term in the FIFA presidential election slated for 2027.
