The Malta Football Association is among more than 200 national associations to have endorsed Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president.
The backing places Malta firmly behind the Swiss-Italian administrator despite growing criticism of his leadership, the latest Balogun controversy and renewed tension between FIFA and UEFA after Aleksander Čeferin did not attend the 2026 World Cup final.
Infantino now appears almost certain to remain in office, with more than 200 of FIFA’s 211 member associations publicly supporting him, leaving little room for a serious challenger ahead of the next FIFA Congress.
The MFA defended its decision by arguing that FIFA has become more stable, more sustainable, and more financially robust during Infantino’s decade in office.
According to the association, increased revenues have allowed FIFA to stage major international tournaments while reinvesting more money into football development around the world.
The MFA also highlighted the expansion of the FIFA Forward Programme, which provides member associations with funding for infrastructure, grassroots football and long-term strategic projects.
The endorsement was first approved by the MFA Bureau and was subsequently confirmed by the association’s Executive Board.
The local governing body also pointed to changes in FIFA’s governance structures, arguing that greater independence between its bodies had helped improve transparency, accountability and good governance.
However, the decision comes at a sensitive moment for FIFA. Infantino faced further scrutiny during the World Cup, with critics accusing the organisation of prioritising commercial expansion and political image management over transparency.
Human-rights groups and other football stakeholders have also questioned FIFA’s handling of tournament-related issues, while concerns remain over the increasing concentration of power around the presidency.
The Balogun scandal has added to that pressure, while Čeferin’s absence from the World Cup final was widely viewed as another indication of the strained relationship between FIFA and UEFA.
Despite those concerns, the MFA believes the benefits delivered to national associations under Infantino outweigh the criticism surrounding his administration.
It argued that members are now more closely connected to FIFA through increased dialogue, participation and development opportunities.
The association acknowledged that there remains room for improvement but maintained that FIFA has undergone a significant transformation since Infantino was first elected in 2016 following the corruption crisis which ended Sepp Blatter’s presidency.
Under Infantino, FIFA has expanded its competitions, secured new sponsorship and broadcasting agreements and generated record revenues.
Critics, however, maintain that commercial growth has not resolved deeper concerns surrounding governance and institutional accountability.
Nevertheless, the MFA president and the association’s senior leadership have chosen continuity.
With more than 200 associations already declaring their support, Infantino’s re-election now appears to be little more than a formality.
