Saudi FA praises FIFA rethink as Infantino receives renewed backing

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has reaffirmed its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino ahead of the next FIFA presidential election, which is scheduled to take place in Morocco in March 2027.

The federation’s board expressed its position at a meeting on Thursday, welcoming a joint statement issued by Infantino and FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom.

That statement acknowledged an error and confirmed that FIFA would not proceed with the proposed “FIFA Forward Enterprise” initiative. It also included a commitment to review the procedures connected with the proposal.

In an official statement, the Saudi board praised the pledge to learn from what had happened and to continue improving FIFA’s procedures and communication channels. It also welcomed the commitment to strengthen governance principles and address future challenges through unity and transparency.

The federation said turning those commitments into practical measures would be an important foundation for rebuilding and strengthening trust. It said that was particularly significant given the differing views within the international football system.

The Saudi FA called for wider dialogue and direct, constructive communication between all parties seeking to develop football around the world. It added that continued progress would depend on unity across the international game and on the combined efforts of its various stakeholders.

The board urged FIFA to maintain and expand dialogue with continental and national football associations, saying stronger communication could help bring positions closer together. It stressed that the interests of football, its players and its supporters must remain the foremost priority.

The Saudi federation also highlighted its position as a national association and a member of the Asian Football Confederation. It said it valued the role of AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa in working for the interests of Asian football and confirmed that it would continue its productive cooperation with the continental body.

The federation said it was ready to support all efforts aimed at strengthening dialogue, consensus and unity across the international football community.

At the same time, the board renewed its appreciation for Infantino’s continuing work over almost a decade. It said the FIFA president had sought to unite football’s global family, develop and grow the game, and expand its worldwide presence in a way that served all of its stakeholders and met the expectations of players and fans.

The Saudi FA also pointed to what it described as the notable successes of the last three editions of the FIFA World Cup. Those tournaments, it said, demonstrated what the international football system could achieve when it worked together in a spirit of unity.

The federation’s statement comes after the joint message from Infantino and Grafstrom, which sought to address concerns surrounding the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project. By welcoming the acknowledgement of error and the decision to halt the proposal, the Saudi board has set out its position before the 2027 election in Morocco.

It said it would continue to back initiatives that promote cooperation and agreement across football’s international institutions, while keeping the game and the people who play and follow it at the centre of decision-making.