FA chief Mark Bullingham defers stance on Infantino's Fifa re-election bid amid World Cup controversy

The Football Association has yet to set its position on whether to back Gianni Infantino for another term as Fifa president, with chief executive Mark Bullingham saying the matter will be addressed through a “board review… in due course”.

Speaking to media at England’s World Cup base in Kansas City, Bullingham declined to be drawn on whether the FA’s stance would be shaped by the tournament’s commercial performance or its widely reported organisational difficulties. “It’s a board review that we will do in due course,” he said, when pressed on the question.

A number of national federations have already moved to endorse Infantino despite mounting criticism of his leadership. The Independent reported last week that multiple sources described feeling pressured to declare their support for the incumbent. Concerns have also been raised about term limits: if Infantino is re-elected unopposed in 2027, he would eventually complete 15 years in the role — the kind of extended tenure that drew sharp criticism when held by predecessors Sepp Blatter and João Havelange.

A growing body of opinion within football governance holds that Infantino has overstepped the boundaries of his office, most notably through his close relationship with the Donald Trump administration and the awarding of the Fifa Peace Prize.

On the issue of ticket pricing — one of the most contentious topics at this World Cup — Bullingham defended the FA’s record while acknowledging fan frustration. Groups including the Football Supporters Association have criticised the governing body for not taking a more public stance on costs. Bullingham argued that FA lobbying contributed to the introduction of cheaper Category 4 tickets priced at $60, though he conceded the supply of those tickets has been limited, with allocation largely restricted to supporters who attend the majority of England’s away fixtures.

“All our fans are important to us but the most important fans are the top cappers who follow us everywhere,” Bullingham said. “My understanding is the vast majority of them are going to be able to make it. If you add it up throughout the tournament it’s 130,000 so it is a concession.”

Bullingham expressed confidence that the tournament would ultimately be judged a success once matches got underway in earnest, drawing a comparison with the pre-event scrutiny that typically surrounds major sporting occasions such as the Olympics.