Belgian FA Withholds Support for FIFA President Infantino

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Belgian FA Withholds Support for FIFA President Infantino

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The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) declared on Monday, September 7, 2026, its refusal to support Gianni Infantino’s re-election campaign for FIFA president. This decision is primarily based on two concerns: FIFA’s lack of transparency regarding the “FIFA Forward Enterprise” project and its handling of the Folarin Balogun red card incident during the recent World Cup.

The “FIFA Forward Enterprise” involved a proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup’s commercial rights to private investors for $4.2 billion. This plan was withdrawn on August 1, 2026, shortly after it became public, due to significant opposition. The RBFA stated that important decisions and assessments related to this project were not sufficiently justified, raising questions about transparency and governance.

The second major point of contention is the case of American player Folarin Balogun. Balogun received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would normally result in a one-match suspension. However, FIFA suspended this ban, allowing him to play against Belgium in the World Cup’s round of 16. This decision sparked controversy, especially after then-U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged discussing the matter with Infantino. The RBFA has stated that, two months after the events, their requests for a clear justification of this decision and clarification on how similar situations will be handled in the future have gone unanswered.

Pascale Van Damme, president of the RBFA and a member of the FIFA Council, emphasized the need for transparency and clarity. The RBFA has requested that the Balogun case be included on the agenda for the next FIFA Council meeting on October 15, 2026. Belgium joins other national associations, including England, Denmark, and the Netherlands, and continental confederations like UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC, in expressing a lack of confidence or withdrawing support for Infantino. Infantino is seeking re-election for a term that would extend until 2031, with the presidential elections scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco.

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