FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing growing opposition ahead of the election for his final term in March 2027, with several European football associations withdrawing their support following the controversy surrounding his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise investment plan.

Infantino’s re-election had appeared largely assured until the plan, which sought to invite private companies to invest in the World Cup, triggered criticism from football authorities.

FIFA subsequently shelved the proposal, while Infantino apologised for errors surrounding the initiative.

He has since secured the backing of FIFA’s senior executives at a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco.

having publicly said it will not support Infantino.

Its football federation is led by former FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who accused FIFA’s leadership of blackmail.

He said Jordan had been awaiting money for reaching the final of the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar in December and claimed he was told that supporting Infantino would help the federation receive the funds.

Prince Ali later confirmed that Jordan had received the outstanding money. (Punch)