Dutch Football Federation Breaks With Infantino, Calls For New FIFA Leadership From 2027

The pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino intensified on Sunday as the Dutch football federation withdrew its support for his leadership and called for a fundamental rethink of how world football's governing body is run.

The Dutch federation said it “no longer has confidence” in Infantino and believes FIFA needs new leadership from 2027 onwards. But it made clear that replacing the president alone would not address the deeper concerns surrounding the organisation.

“We believe FIFA needs new leadership from 2027 onwards. But a new president alone is not enough. The way FIFA is governed must change as well,” the federation said.

The Dutch federation criticised what it described as the concentration of power around the FIFA president and a lack of sufficient separation between the president and the FIFA administration. It said the controversy surrounding the now-withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal was a turning point that further damaged its trust in the organisation.

The Netherlands has also shared its position with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, as European football federations increasingly challenge Infantino's leadership. UEFA has been at the centre of the growing backlash following the controversy over Infantino's failed World Cup sell-off plan.

Infantino is seeking re-election in March 2027, although he has not indicated that he intends to step down. Several FIFA member associations have already withdrawn their backing, with some openly calling for his resignation.

The Dutch federation, however, said the debate should go beyond Infantino himself. It called for a “new FIFA” built around stronger governance, greater social impact and increased investment in football worldwide.

It has offered to host an international summit to discuss the future of FIFA, arguing that the 2027 election should first establish what kind of organisation football needs before deciding who should lead it.

The federation stressed that the initiative should not become a European project imposed on the rest of the world, saying the new direction must be developed collectively with FIFA's 211 member associations and confederations.