Netherlands demand Infantino’s removal, call for fresh FIFA leadership
In a stark statement released on its website, the Royal Dutch Football Association – the Países Bajos KNVB – declared that it no longer trusts FIFA president Gianni Infantino and that, in its view, the FIFA needs new leadership from 2027. “Necesitamos un nuevo liderazgo”, the communiqué said.
Loss of confidence and explicit criticism
The KNVB wrote, “La KNVB ya no confía en el liderazgo del presidente de la FIFA, Gianni Infantino.” It added that the federation believes the debate must go beyond a single individual and question what kind of FIFA the sport requires. The statement, posted on the KNVB’s page, also contains the line “En nuestra opinión, la FIFA necesita un nuevo liderazgo a partir de 2027”.
The Dutch body highlighted that it had supported Infantino in the last presidential elections, but stressed that its backing was never unconditional. “La KNVB apoyó a Infantino en las últimas elecciones presidenciales. Ese apoyo nunca fue incondicional”, the release read. The document even lists the phrase “Añadir como fuente preferida en Google”, showing how the release was formatted for online distribution.
Governance concerns and the Forward Enterprise episode
According to the KNVB, three priority areas – good governance, human rights and sustainability, and better international cooperation – were always part of its agenda. It warned that “Observamos un exceso de poder en torno al Presidente de la FIFA y una escasa separación entre este y la organización”. The withdrawal of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, mentioned as a turning point, did not restore the lost trust.
Impacto Países Bajos drives a Congress to oust Infantino before 2027
The federation called for a new president but also a re‑imagined FIFA, stating: “En nuestra opinión, el debate debería ir más allá de Gianni Infantino. La pregunta más importante es: ¿qué tipo de FIFA necesita el fútbol?”. It stressed that the change is not a European plan but a global effort involving 211 federations and confederations.
In a separate note, the KNVB referenced a recent video titled “Gianni Infantino en la Copa del Mundo 2026 | MEXSPORT”, underscoring the relevance of the upcoming World Cup to its concerns. The statement concluded that FIFA must not depend on a single person; the President, the Council, the Congress and the Secretary General each have distinct responsibilities.
“El compromiso es claro: una FIFA fuerte y creíble que pertenezca al fútbol, sirva a sus miembros y contribuya al desarrollo del fútbol en todo el mundo”, the KNVB affirmed, urging structural reform and broader collaboration.