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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Dutch federation calls for FIFA summit, turns against Infantino

Dutch federation calls for FIFA summit, turns against Infantino

Published Aug 31, 2026 11:34 am

At A Glance

  • AMSTERDAM (AP) — The Dutch football federation is calling for an international summit to discuss the future of FIFA after becoming the latest nation to call for new leadership at the global soccer governing body on Sunday, Aug. 30.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, Sunday Aug. 23, 2026. (Teresa Suarez/Pool Photo via AP)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, Sunday Aug. 23, 2026. (Teresa Suarez/Pool Photo via AP)
AMSTERDAM (AP) — The Dutch football federation is calling for an international summit to discuss the future of FIFA after becoming the latest nation to call for new leadership at the global soccer governing body on Sunday, Aug. 30.
In a statement, the federation said it “no longer has confidence” in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and offered to host an international summit to discuss ideas to reshape the organisation.
The Dutch federation said there is a need for a “new FIFA,” not just a new president.
“The 2027 presidential election should not only be about who leads FIFA,” it said. "First, we need to determine what kind of FIFA we want. Then we can identify the leadership needed to deliver that change.
“For us, this discussion must be about more than Gianni Infantino. The key question is: what kind of FIFA does football need?” the federation said. “Our ambition is clear: a strong and credible FIFA that belongs to football, serves its members and develops the game around the world.”
It said “this should not be a European plan for the rest of the world. We want to develop this new direction together with FIFA’s 211 Member Associations and the confederations from all parts of the world.”
The federation said it shared “this position and our vision for the future of FIFA” in a letter to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.
UEFA, the European soccer confederation, is spearheading the backlash against Infantino over his failed World Cup sell-off plan that created a deep rift in the sport.
Many of its other member federations have withdrawn their support for the FIFA leader, who is up for re-election in March 2027. Some have called for his resignation.
Infantino has not given any indication he plans to step down.
“We believe FIFA needs new leadership from 2027 onwards. But a new president alone is not enough. The way FIFA is governed must change as well,” it said.
“We see too much power concentrated around the FIFA president and insufficient separation between the president and the FIFA administration,” the federation said. “The process surrounding the now-withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal was a turning point for us. Withdrawing the proposal was necessary, but it does not restore the trust that has been lost.”
The Dutch federation said it sees three priorities: improved governance with a better balance of power, putting soccer’s social power at the heart of FIFA and investing more in soccer worldwide.
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