German Football Association vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke has called for Gianni Infantino to leave the FIFA presidency. Watzke made the comments during an artificial intelligence festival in Berlin on Thursday.
Watzke said Infantino should depart “no ifs or buts.” His comments come ahead of the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 18, 2027.
The German Football Association was also among the federations that did not sign a letter supporting Infantino’s re-election. For Watzke, several recent decisions have damaged confidence in FIFA leadership.
FIFA Peace Prize Draws Criticism
One issue raised by Watzke was the FIFA Peace Prize. Infantino introduced the award in 2025, and US President Donald Trump received it during the draw for the 2026 World Cup.
Watzke questioned the way the prize was created and awarded. He argued that the FIFA president should not establish such an initiative without wider consultation.
Infantino has also maintained a close relationship with Trump. That relationship has attracted attention as FIFA prepares for another presidential election.
Balogun Case Also Questioned
Watzke also criticized FIFA’s handling of Folarin Balogun’s red card during the 2026 World Cup. The American forward received a sending-off in the last-32 stage.
His automatic one-match suspension was later lifted following a reported phone call between Trump and Infantino. Watzke questioned whether political figures should have any role in decisions involving football disciplinary matters.
The incident has become another point of criticism from the DFB leadership. However, FIFA’s position and the full circumstances surrounding the decision remain important when assessing the controversy.
Commercial Project Raises Further Concerns
Watzke also referred to a commercial project announced on July 28 and abandoned four days later. The proposal involved creating a company that could have been open to private investors.
According to Watzke, FIFA vice-presidents and council members were not informed about the plan before it became public. He described the situation as another example of concerns surrounding Infantino’s leadership.
DFB president Bernd Neuendorf has also publicly criticized the current FIFA leadership. Earlier this week, he said the relationship of trust with Infantino had been seriously damaged.
Neuendorf said he believed it was important for what he called the “Infantino system” to come to an end.
Infantino Remains Sole Candidate
For now, Infantino remains the only declared candidate for the FIFA presidency. The election is scheduled for March 18, 2027, while candidates have until November 18 to submit their nominations.
The criticism from Germany adds to the debate over Infantino’s future. However, the final field of candidates will not be known until the nomination deadline passes.
