Israel Withdraws Support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino Amid Global Opposition

Israel has officially withdrawn its support for the re-election of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, aligning itself with several other countries opposing his continued leadership. British journalist Rob Harris from Sky News reported on August 18, 2026, that Israel joined nations including England, Scotland, Wales, Albania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, and New Zealand in voting against Infantino.

The Israel Football Association sent a letter to FIFA stating that recent developments have caused an unprecedented crisis of trust. The letter emphasized the desire to restore a shared vision and proper direction for global football. This move adds to the mounting challenges facing Infantino's tenure, following earlier opposition to his decision to sell part of the World Cup rights to private companies, a move he later reversed.

Currently, a coalition of UEFA countries, South America, and parts of Asia are working to replace Infantino with a new candidate. Achieving this requires a majority vote among FIFA member nations, necessitating a unified front among these regions. The Israeli national team and football authorities are now part of this broader effort to reshape FIFA's leadership and future vision.