Saudi Arabia is unlikely to announce its official position on FIFA president Gianni Infantino until after the country’s football association elects a new leader at the end of August, according to reports.
British journalist Ben Jacobs said on Wednesday that the Saudi Football Federation’s forthcoming election was one of the main reasons it had remained silent over the growing crisis surrounding Infantino.
The Saudi Football Federation is due to hold an extraordinary general assembly on 30 August to choose a successor to Yasser Al-Misehal, who resigned after the Saudi national team’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
Jacobs said the leadership vote was a significant factor behind Saudi Arabia’s decision not to reveal whether it supports Infantino’s future as FIFA president. Pressure has been building on Infantino not to seek another term after the collapse of his project to privatise part of the commercial rights to FIFA competitions.
The journalist, citing several senior Saudi officials, reported that there was opposition within Saudi football to Infantino remaining in office. However, he said the country’s formal position would probably not become clear until September, once the federation’s internal elections had taken place.
The uncertainty comes as Infantino faces increasing criticism from a number of continental and national football associations. His plan to sell a share of the commercial rights to FIFA tournaments had attracted widespread opposition, contributing to a decline in the support he had previously enjoyed in several areas of the football community.
Growing pressure on Infantino
The project to transfer part of FIFA’s commercial rights was presented as a major development for the organisation, but it became the focus of criticism from football stakeholders. Its failure has intensified questions about Infantino’s ability to maintain the backing required to continue leading world football’s governing body.
Saudi Arabia’s football authorities have therefore come under scrutiny because of their silence while other associations consider Infantino’s position. Although reports indicate that some senior figures in Saudi football oppose his continuation as FIFA president, the federation has not issued a public statement setting out its stance.
That position may remain unchanged while attention is focused on the 30 August extraordinary general assembly. The election will determine who replaces Al-Misehal and could shape the federation’s approach to the wider FIFA debate.
Only after the new leadership is in place is Saudi Arabia expected to clarify its view on whether Infantino should remain in his role or face a leadership challenge. Until then, the country’s position is expected to stay unconfirmed, despite the growing pressure surrounding FIFA’s president and the controversy over his abandoned commercial-rights proposal.
