Pressure Mounts on FIFA Chief Gianni Infantino as Italy Withdraws Support While Legend Fabio Cannavaro Backs Him

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing growing pressure to step down from his position following a decision by Italy’s football federation (FIGC) to withdraw its backing over his controversial and ultimately abandoned attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup.

In an official statement released on Wednesday, the FIGC explained that the decision clearly and transparently communicates its position regarding recent initiatives promoted by the FIFA president concerning the governance and development of international competitions. This move aligns Italy with several other European national associations, including England, Ireland and Wales, which have already rescinded their support for Infantino as he prepares to seek re-election at next year’s FIFA Congress.

Infantino has encountered mounting pressure to resign as the head of world football’s governing body due to his now-abandoned plan to attract private investment into FIFA tournaments, such as the World Cup. FIGC head Giovanni Malago stated that the federation will continue to work alongside UEFA and other European federations to champion a vision of football grounded in merit, solidarity, sustainability, and the central role of fans. Malago emphasized that Italy identifies with a model of dialogue, listening, and shared responsibility that has historically allowed football to grow, innovate, and protect its founding principles.

Despite the backlash from European governing bodies, Italy’s World Cup-winning captain, Fabio Cannavaro, and his Brazilian counterpart, Cafu, have joined a faction of former players publicly supporting Infantino. These social media messages followed a contrasting appeal from another group of former players, led by Frenchman Mikael Silvestre, demanding leadership changes at FIFA.

Cannavaro, who won the 2006 World Cup with Italy and currently coaches the Uzbekistan national team, posted on social media that world football has improved over the past ten years and that players have once again taken centre stage. He added that Infantino has done a great job and failing to acknowledge that would be intellectually dishonest.

Similar endorsements were shared on Tuesday night by prominent former players including Brazilians Cafu and Roberto Carlos, Argentines Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso, Colombia’s Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, and Mexico’s Jared Borgetti. Cafu, who lifted the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, noted that they have followed the work of FIFA and President Infantino in promoting player representation, a development that did not exist previously.

Gianni Infantino, the 56-year-old former UEFA secretary general, initially enjoyed broad backing from European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016. Meanwhile, European football governing body UEFA announced it will formally withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances that Infantino’s failed sell-off plan will not be resurrected.