World

Belgium rejects support for Infantino's FIFA presidential bid

The Belgian Football Association announced it will not support Gianni Infantino in the upcoming FIFA elections and criticized the lack of transparency within the organization.

7 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Belgium rejects support for Infantino's FIFA presidential bid — Archive photoPhoto: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has become the first federation to officially announce that it will not support Gianni Infantino's re-election bid for the presidency of FIFA. The position was disclosed on Monday and emphasizes issues related to the transparency of the international body.

In its statement, the federation explained its decision, pointing to a lack of clarity on two specific matters: the FIFA Forward Enterprise project and the Balogun case, which generated controversy during this summer's World Cup.

In addition to Belgium, other European bodies have expressed reservations or withdrawn support, including the federations of Sweden, Scotland, and Italy, which also voiced their concerns regarding FIFA's governance.

Infantino, who holds Italian-Swiss citizenship, has confirmed his intention to run for a new term in 2027 and is currently the only announced candidate for the position.

The Belgian federation's decision comes amid a context in which trust in Infantino seems to be waning among some European associations, which are questioning his leadership and FIFA's practices.

The resistance to Infantino reflects a growing dissatisfaction with how FIFA has managed its operations, particularly concerning sensitive issues affecting international football. The future of his re-election ambitions may depend on how he addresses these criticisms.

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