FIFA has issued an apology for errors related to Gianni Infantino’s failed initiative to sell stakes in the World Cup. Senior officials at a crisis meeting in Morocco expressed unanimous support for Infantino’s presidency. The soccer governing body aimed to present solidarity in response to the dissent caused by Infantino’s controversial scheme, which led to calls for his resignation.
In a statement, FIFA confirmed that Secretary General Mattias Grafström and the management board members, who convened in Rabat, have shown support for Infantino. The plan to sell World Cup profits through a subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was acknowledged as mishandled.
FIFA has communicated its apologies to the FIFA Council and member associations, promising to prevent a recurrence of such errors. Grafström’s endorsement is notable after his prior criticism of Infantino’s plans, which he described to staff as a “sad and reproachable series of events.” Additionally, Infantino expressed continued support for his Secretary General.
“The FFE proposal is now off the table,” stated FIFA. “We are committed to learning from this and improving our processes.”
The meeting’s effectiveness in alleviating the pressure on Infantino remains uncertain. Earlier, the association of European soccer leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, demanded FIFA governance reform. They labeled the FFE proposal “dangerous” and highlighted larger governance and decision-making concerns within FIFA.
The European Leagues criticized the potential expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams, opposing any unilateral decisions by FIFA on expanding or creating new competitions. They insisted on a necessity for governance reform involving relevant stakeholders.
Portugal and Real Madrid legend Luis Figo joined the call for Infantino’s resignation, accusing him of undermining the presidency’s integrity. FIFA refuted a media claim that Infantino offered Morocco the 2030 World Cup final hosting rights for presidential support. A formal decision regarding the 2030 final location has not yet been announced by FIFA.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed loss of confidence in Infantino, citing a significant governance failure by neglecting to consult senior advisers. Carney, who attended events with Infantino related to the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA, voiced his concerns.
The past week has intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership as FIFA faces elections in March. UEFA has posed significant pressure, threatening to boycott the World Cup if Infantino pursued the FFE. Despite retracting the initiative, UEFA’s trust in FIFA leadership remains compromised, potentially challenging Infantino’s presidency.
Furthermore, signs of internal division are apparent, with key figures like Arsène Wenger distancing themselves from the FFE plans. Infantino’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro and COO Kevin Lamour have also expressed dissatisfaction. Infantino aims to secure a fourth and final term in the upcoming elections.