Italy Halts FIFA President Support Amid World Cup Commercialization Controversy; Cannavaro Remains Loyal

Published On 27 Aug 202627 Aug 2026

Italy’s football federation (FIGC) has withdrawn its backing of FIFA President Gianni Infantino following his controversial— and ultimately abandoned— proposal to privatize ownership stakes in international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup.

The FIGC cited Infantino’s recent initiatives regarding the structure and commercial direction of global football competitions as the basis for its decision.

“This decision is intended to clearly and transparently express the FIGC’s position… regarding the recent initiatives promoted by the FIFA president concerning the governance and development of international competitions,” the FIGC said in a formal statement on Wednesday.

The development comes amid mounting criticism across Europe. National associations including England, Ireland, and Wales have also rescinded their support for Infantino, who is seeking re-election at next year’s FIFA Congress.

Under increasing scrutiny, Infantino faces growing calls to resign due to his short-lived plan to attract private investment into FIFA events. The proposal sparked widespread concern among traditional stakeholders about the commercialization of the sport.

“We will continue to work alongside UEFA and the other European federations to promote a vision of football based on merit, solidarity, sustainability and the central role of the fans,” said FIGC President Giovanni Malago.

“We identify with a model of dialogue, listening and shared responsibility which has, to date, enabled football to grow, innovate and, at the same time, defend its founding principles.”

Despite the FIGC’s stance, former Italian international Fabio Cannavaro— captain of the 2006 World Cup-winning squad— voiced public support for Infantino, joining a coalition of ex-players standing by the embattled president.

Their endorsements follow an open letter signed by a separate group of former athletes, including French defender Mikael Silvestre, urging systemic reform within FIFA leadership.

“Over the last ten years, world football has improved,” and footballers “have once again taken centre stage,” Cannavaro—currently head coach of the Uzbekistan national team—wrote on social media on Wednesday.

“Infantino has done a great job… Not acknowledging that would be intellectually dishonest,” he added.

The show of support extended beyond Italy. Former stars like Brazil’s Cafu and Roberto Carlos, Argentina’s Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso, Colombia’s Iván Raícel and Mexico’s Jared Borgetti echoed similar sentiments online.

“We have followed the work of FIFA and President Infantino to promote the representation of players in football, something that didn’t exist before,” wrote Cafu, a two-time World Cup champion with Brazil (1994, 2002).

Infantino, 56, assumed the FIFA presidency in 2016 with strong backing from European federations after replacing disgraced predecessor Sepp Blatter.

UEFA announced it would withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions following official guarantees that Infantino’s privatization initiative will not be revived.

The European football governing body had previously threatened to pull out of all cross-border competitions unless concrete steps were taken to reverse the proposed changes.

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