Scottish FA Joins Growing Revolt Against FIFA President Infantino

The Scottish Football Association has withdrawn support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president, aligning with a European-led revolt against the world governing body’s leadership, chief executive Ian Maxwell confirmed Monday.

Maxwell told BBC Sport that Scotland will not vote for Infantino when he stands for a fourth term in March 2027, citing “a lack of confidence in the FIFA leadership” following the Swiss official’s abandoned bid to privatize commercial rights to World Cup tournaments through a new entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise.

The proposal, which would have sold 21% of ticketing and commercial rights to private investors, was scrapped after widespread criticism from UEFA and other confederations that threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions.

“We have aligned ourselves with the UEFA position and 55 nations are stronger than one voice,” Maxwell said at a press conference announcing Belgian Sebastian Pocognoli as Scotland’s new head coach.

The Scottish FA joins England, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland in opposing Infantino’s re-election. Last week, UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation issued an open letter accusing FIFA and Infantino of breaking trust “through deception,” with sources telling BBC Sport the statement effectively called for Infantino to resign.

Infantino retains backing from African, South American, and Oceanian confederations, though New Zealand has broken rank within Oceania. Within CONCACAF, Mexico, Grenada, and St Kitts and Nevis have defected to support Infantino, while eight Asian nations—including the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait—have also championed his cause.

The FIFA Council remains deeply divided, raising questions about Infantino’s governing authority regardless of the election outcome. No challenger has yet come forward before the November 18 deadline.

FIFA has promised a report on the abandoned FFE proposal at its October council meeting, but the three opposing confederations have demanded an independent review. Legal warnings have also been issued against FIFA destroying any documents related to the failed plan.