World Cup 2034 hosts Saudi Arabia back Infantino amid FIFA crisis

Saudi Arabia, hosts of the World Cup 2034, have thrown their ⁠⁠support behind ⁠⁠embattled FIFA President Gianni Infantino as he continues to face criticism over the collapse of the governing body’s controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise ⁠⁠proposal.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) welcomed FIFA’s acknowledgement of mistakes, its apology and the decision to scrap the proposal, while calling for direct dialogue ⁠⁠among football’s stakeholders to restore unity.

“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.

Saudi Arabia’s backing is significant given its expanding role in world football.

The kingdom’s Public Investment Fund partnered with FIFA for the 2025 Club World Cup and was also an official supporter in North America and Asia of this year’s World Cup, underscoring the kingdom’s growing ties with the global governing body.

“The past three editions of the FIFA World Cup have ⁠⁠demonstrated what football can achieve when its global family works ⁠⁠together,” the federation said in a statement.

“The FIFA President’s contribution to growing the game worldwide over almost a decade should also be recognised.”

SAFF urged FIFA leaders to hold “direct face-to-face dialogue … with all concerns addressed openly”.