FIFA has issued an apology to its member associations for the missteps surrounding its failed initiative to sell shares in World Cup-related commercial rights, pledging to undertake a review of the process. During a critical meeting at FIFA’s African headquarters in Morocco, the organization reiterated its support for President Gianni Infantino.
Scheduled presidential elections are set for March 2027, although an Extraordinary Congress may be convened if 43 or more member associations submit a formal written request.
In the aftermath of the meeting held in Rabat, which included Infantino, Secretary General Mattias Grafström, and other FIFA board members, the organization conveyed its renewed endorsement of Infantino while recognizing that the approach to the now-retracted FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal could have been handled more effectively. A formal apology has been sent to the FIFA Council members and the 211 member associations, acknowledging errors and promising a thorough review of the situation.
FIFA emphasized that, with the proposal now withdrawn, it would not tolerate any further attacks on its integrity, governance practices, or due processes, indicating a commitment to safeguarding its reputation. Vehicles thought to be transporting Infantino and Grafström were observed departing FIFA’s African office in Sale following the meeting, which was prompted by increasing scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
The prior week, FIFA withdrew its proposal to sell a 20 percent share in a new commercial rights entity to private investors, a move that was anticipated to generate approximately $4.2 billion for football development. This proposal faced backlash due to its association with a firm linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump, leading to significant criticism from UEFA and other stakeholders who accused FIFA of inadequate governance and lack of proper consultation.
This apology highlights FIFA’s recognition of the blunders made in managing the commercial rights initiative, which has emerged as a serious challenge to Infantino’s leadership since he took office in 2016. The withdrawal of the proposal has not appeased critics, particularly UEFA, which expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership, accusing him of compromising the integrity of the sport.
Infantino’s re-election for a fourth term at the FIFA Congress scheduled in Morocco has been cast into doubt, following the withdrawal of support from several European federations. Additionally, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney publicly questioned Infantino’s leadership, stating he no longer holds confidence in the FIFA president after discovering that senior advisors were not involved in the discussions regarding the abandoned proposal.
In an internal memo, Grafström expressed disappointment over the “unfortunate series of events” leading to the project’s cancellation. He emphasized the ongoing mission and responsibilities of FIFA, without directly naming Infantino. Similarly, FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour remarked that staff had been “misled” about the initiative, which he portrayed as the vision of a single individual.
Last week, Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to Infantino, resigned in protest against the proposal. Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, stated he was not involved in the proposal’s drafting, calling the decision to retract it “absolutely necessary.” Former Portuguese football legend Luis Figo suggested that Infantino should resign, while UEFA Vice-President Laura McAllister noted that the situation had brought Infantino’s leadership to a critical juncture.
Infantino has been in Morocco for the past week, a country set to co-host the World Cup in 2030, and its football association has publicly voiced its continued support for him. The meeting was largely perceived as an attempt to solidify backing for Infantino as he navigates this tumultuous period in hopes of remaining the favored candidate for re-election in March.
If 43 or more FIFA member associations formally request it, an Extraordinary Congress could be summoned. Nations such as Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines have expressed their loyalty to Infantino.
While Infantino has maintained support from several associations outside the traditional football strongholds, where many rely heavily on FIFA’s funding, European leagues representing over 1,300 clubs have warned that FIFA must not be permitted to make unilateral decisions that adversely impact clubs, players, and fans. They also criticized the “impractically short assessment timeline” of four weeks provided by FIFA to evaluate the plan to expand the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams.
