Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Dutch Federation Seeks Infantino Exit and Sweeping FIFA Reform
The Dutch football association says FIFA needs big changes.
It no longer supports Gianni Infantino as FIFA president.
It wants FIFA to have new leadership starting in 2027.
The association says changing one leader is not enough.
It believes too much power is held by the FIFA president.
It wants an international meeting in Amsterdam to decide what FIFA should become.
The meeting would include FIFA’s 211 member associations and its regional confederations.
The Dutch group also wants human rights, sustainability, and better checks on power.
It wants up to 90% of FIFA’s available revenue invested in developing football.
The Royal Netherlands Football Association said it no longer supports FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The KNVB wants new FIFA leadership from 2027 and proposed an international summit in Amsterdam.
It said replacing the president alone would not resolve FIFA’s governance problems.
Its priorities include stronger checks and balances, human rights, sustainability, and international cooperation.
The KNVB also wants up to 90% of distributable FIFA revenue reinvested in football development.
- Who
- The Royal Netherlands Football Association, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, UEFA, FIFA’s 211 member associations, and its confederations.
- What
- The Dutch federation withdrew its support for Infantino and called for new FIFA leadership and broad governance reforms.
- When
- The statement was issued on Sunday; Infantino is up for re-election in March 2027.
- Where
- The proposed International Summit on the Future of FIFA would be held in Amsterdam.
- Why
- The KNVB said it had lost confidence in Infantino and objected to concentrated presidential power and insufficient separation from FIFA’s administration.
KNVB Reform Position
Infantino and FIFA Position
Leadership
KNVB Reform Position
The KNVB says it no longer has confidence in Gianni Infantino and wants new FIFA leadership from 2027.
Infantino and FIFA Position
Infantino is up for re-election in March 2027 and has given no indication that he plans to step down; FIFA’s response to the KNVB was not reported.
Scope of change
KNVB Reform Position
The KNVB says replacing the president alone is insufficient and wants to change FIFA’s governance structure.
Infantino and FIFA Position
Infantino said FIFA’s responsibility is to close the financial gap between wealthy members and those with fewer resources; the articles do not report a detailed response to the KNVB’s governance proposals.
Reform process
KNVB Reform Position
The KNVB wants a summit involving FIFA’s 211 member associations and confederations from all regions, saying the plan should not be imposed by Europe.
Infantino and FIFA Position
The articles do not report FIFA’s position on the proposed summit or its broader reform process.
- Organization making the proposal
- The Royal Netherlands Football Association, also known as the KNVB
- Requested leadership change
- New FIFA leadership from 2027 onwards
- Proposed summit
- International Summit on the Future of FIFA in Amsterdam
- Governance concerns
- Too much power around the FIFA president and insufficient separation from the FIFA administration
- Reform priorities
- Checks and balances, human rights, sustainability, and international cooperation
- Development funding
- Reinvest up to 90% of distributable FIFA revenue in football development
- FIFA membership
- 211 member associations
