Israel Withdraws Support for FIFA President Infantino

Gianni Infantino’s dismissal of chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who had opposed plans to sell a stake connected to the World Cup, has strengthened resistance to the Fifa president. Attempts to remove Infantino are now expected to gain momentum in the coming days.

Israel became the latest Fifa member to formally withdraw its backing for Infantino’s re-election on Tuesday. Moshe Zuares, president of the Israel Football Association (IFA), confirmed the decision in a letter.

The development was largely anticipated because the IFA has belonged to Uefa since 1994 and Zuares serves on the European organisation’s executive committee. Nevertheless, it represents another political setback for Infantino, who has invested considerable effort in improving sporting relations with Palestine.

During Fifa’s congress in Vancouver in April, Infantino attempted to arrange a photograph featuring representatives from both sides. Palestinian Football Federation president Jibril Rajoub, however, declined to stand beside IFA vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman. Despite that refusal, Infantino reportedly wants Israel and Palestine to play the opening fixture of a new under-15 competition in the United States next month.

In his letter, Zuares said recent developments had created an extraordinary breakdown of trust between Uefa and Fifa over the governance of world football. He described the disagreement as deep, substantial and based on principle, arguing that everyone involved must reconsider the way forward.

Zuares said the IFA board had reached its decision unanimously. He confirmed that the association was withdrawing its earlier letter of support while expressing hope that constructive discussions could eventually restore a common and appropriate direction for the global game.

Israel’s decision follows similar withdrawals by Uefa members England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. It also came shortly after confirmation that Lamour had departed Fifa following his strong criticism of Infantino’s Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal.

In a statement issued on 31 July, Lamour acknowledged that his opposition could cost him his position. He said he would accept and respect such an outcome, adding that acting according to his convictions allowed him to rest with a clear conscience.

Laura McAllister, a Uefa executive committee member and former Wales Women international, said Lamour’s dismissal delivered an alarming signal. She argued that it also raised major doubts about whether the global governing body genuinely intended to change direction after the controversy surrounding the proposal.

McAllister, one of Uefa’s five vice-presidents, previously worked with Lamour before he joined Fifa in 2024. She praised him for challenging Infantino’s unsuccessful plan and described him as a brave defender of football’s most important stakeholders. In her view, removing him weakens Fifa’s administration and damages a rare opportunity to reshape its culture around sporting principles rather than purely commercial and financial priorities.

She added that Fifa belongs to the entire football community rather than to its president alone. McAllister called for strong, independent and principled leaders who are willing to voice concerns, challenge decisions when required and defend the values of the global game. She said losing an official of Lamour’s standing was deeply discouraging for those seeking reform.

Meanwhile, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters accused Infantino of causing serious damage through the failed attempt to attract private investment into the World Cup.

Masters said the crisis had been created internally and amounted to a self-inflicted injury. He argued that the organisation’s actions had triggered the current consequences and would now shape the measures required to resolve them.

He also said Fifa should never consider selling an ownership interest in the World Cup. As a not-for-profit organisation, he argued, it should safeguard the tournament on behalf of football’s future generations.