The Swedish Football Association has publicly lost confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Together with five other Nordic football associations, they are demanding sweeping governance reforms and backing calls for his resignation, according to a joint statement.
The six associations from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands met in Helsinki and published their message on Sunday, August 23. The statement backs earlier demands from the major continental confederations UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF. The associations stand united with UEFA and support measures proposed by UEFA and its national member associations.
The Nordic federations' statement is clear. They demand an independent investigation into Infantino's proposal to sell a stake in events like the World Cup to private equity investors. That proposal was quickly abandoned due to global backlash. The associations expect FIFA to provide binding guarantees that its governance or competitions will never be opened to private ownership.
They also call for a comprehensive and independent review of FIFA's governance framework. This review should determine if the framework ensures independence, checks and balances, transparency, and accountability. FIFA adopted a reform programme back in 2016, but the Nordic associations believe more must be done. Infantino is seeking a fourth term until 2031 in next year's election, and regional powerhouses have discussed a potential vote of no confidence against him.
The conflict flared up over the weekend the statement was published. Infantino was in the Dominican Republic meeting with officials of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU). CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani had asked Infantino to stay away from a youth soccer tournament being held in the country, saying his presence would overshadow the event.
Infantino defended his visit, stating such tournaments can take place thanks to the FIFA Forward programme. "So, even more so, a reason to be proud to be here." Infantino said. FIFA was contacted for comment on the Nordic statement but gave no reply.
While this international power struggle continues, Sweden's preparations for the 2026 World Cup carry on. The team currently sits third in its qualifying group with 4 points from 3 games, with a record of 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss. They have scored 7 goals and conceded 7, giving them a goal difference of zero. The recent form is tough, with 0 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses in the last five matches, including a 3-0 loss to France in June.
The next key fixture is a home match against Romania on September 25th, a game that is key to turning the tide. Fans can follow the team's path to the tournament on our stats page and view the full fixtures schedule.
The immediate future operates on two fronts. For the Swedish national team, the focus is on improving form ahead of the Romania match, a game that could deliver vital qualifying points. For the Nordic football alliance, the next step is to see if their demands gain traction. Denmark's football association (DBU) vowed on Friday, August 21, to find a credible alternative to Infantino ahead of next year's election. Unity between the Nordic associations and major confederations like UEFA creates significant pressure for change. This united front could shape FIFA's leadership long into the future.
