The Dutch football association (KNVB) declared on August 30 that it no longer has confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s leadership and called for new leadership starting in 2027, ahead of his re-election attempt in March that year [1, 2, 3, 4]. "The KNVB no longer has confidence in the leadership of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. We believe FIFA needs new leadership from 2027 onwards," the association said [1].

KNVB proposed hosting an international summit in Amsterdam inviting all 211 FIFA member associations and confederations worldwide to discuss FIFA’s future governance [1, 2, 3, 4]. The summit aims to work collaboratively with all FIFA regions rather than imposing a "European plan for the rest of the world," the KNVB said [1]. "We want to develop this new direction together with FIFA’s 211 member associations and the confederations from all parts of the world," it added [2].

Beyond leadership change, KNVB emphasized the need for a comprehensive structural reform within FIFA’s governance. It called for stronger checks and balances and a reduction in the concentration of power around the FIFA president [1, 2, 3, 4]. "But a new president alone is not enough. The way FIFA is governed must change as well," the KNVB stated [2]. The association also wants decision-making power increased for the FIFA Congress under the supervision of the FIFA Council, and a shift in roles where the FIFA secretary-general leads administration while the president focuses on global representation [2].

Financially, KNVB urged FIFA to reinvest up to 90% of distributable revenue back into football development globally [1, 2, 3]. This call aligns with criticisms faced by Infantino, who has encountered opposition after attempting to sell stakes in FIFA events to private equity firms [1, 2, 3, 4].

FIFA did not respond to requests for comment on the KNVB’s proposals and statements [1, 2].

Infantino, 56, is set to seek a fourth term as FIFA president in the March 2027 election [1, 2, 3, 4]. The KNVB’s announcement sets a significant challenge for his candidacy ahead of the vote.