The Saudi Arabian Football Federation released a statement on Thursday affirming its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino at this critical juncture. “At this time, SAFF supports the continued efforts of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and FIFA’s leadership to restore unity across the football family and continue growing the game for the benefit of all,” the federation said in the statement. It further called for FIFA leaders to engage in direct face-to-face dialogue where all concerns are addressed openly. The federation welcomed FIFA’s recent acknowledgment of mistakes, apology and decision not to proceed with the project.
The statement described these actions as important first steps while noting that ongoing divisions demonstrate the need for broader and more direct engagement across the sport. According to the federation, the past three editions of the FIFA World Cup have shown what can be achieved when the global football family collaborates effectively. It also highlighted the need to recognize the FIFA president’s contributions to the game’s development over nearly 10 years. This stance follows a period in which the federation had remained quiet during the initial weeks of the controversy.
Infantino has developed strong soccer and political connections with Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman throughout his presidency. These ties played a role in awarding the 2034 World Cup to the kingdom. The pair, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, attended the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup in Paris on August 23, 2026.
Saudi Arabia has increased its footprint in international football in recent years. Reuters reported that the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund partnered with FIFA for the 2025 Club World Cup and acted as an official supporter for this year’s World Cup in North America and Asia. The federation’s backing comes as significant given this expanding role.
Criticism of the original proposal had come from the Asian Football Confederation, UEFA and CONCACAF, which accused Infantino of deception and a breach of trust. UEFA has moved to file a criminal complaint against Infantino in Swiss courts over potential financial mismanagement related to the plan. The body also sought court authorization in the United States for discovery against an investment fund and FIFA. These legal steps reflect the depth of concern among some confederations.
FIFA has not held a meeting of its full Council, which includes Saudi representative Yasser Al Misehal, opting instead for a management team gathering in Rabat three weeks prior. A subsequent FIFA statement admitted errors while standing by the president. The Saudi federation’s position aligns with an earlier announcement in April where it endorsed Infantino’s candidacy for the presidency through 2031, according to the federation’s website.
