FIFA supports Infantino, apologizes for World Cup investment plan

FIFA's leadership reaffirmed its full support for president Gianni Infantino while apologising for its handling of the now-abandoned plan to open the World Cup to private investment. The governing body acknowledged that the proposal should have been managed differently after it triggered a fierce international backlash.

On 06/08/2026, FIFA president Gianni Infantino received the "full support" of senior directors but faced a barrage of criticism following the aborted plan. FIFA's leadership admitted errors made during the proposal's introduction, particularly after it leaked to the media. The plan aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for a new commercial subsidiary called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which was proposed to run events like the World Cup and Club World Cup.

If approved, the initiative could have provided each of FIFA's 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027, increasing their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million. However, the proposal drew international condemnation, culminating in European football's governing body UEFA threatening to boycott the World Cup.

On Saturday, Infantino withdrew the plan, acknowledging the backlash while maintaining that FIFA's purpose was to "unite and improve." Following a crisis meeting in Morocco, the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA Management Board expressed their support for Infantino, stating that the process should have involved the FIFA Council and Member Associations more effectively. They also issued an apology to those affected, committing to prevent similar errors in the future.

Among those present at the meeting was FIFA's secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom, whose internal criticism of the plan was leaked shortly before. A review of the situation will be conducted, with a report to be presented to the FIFA Council at its next meeting. Following the Wednesday meeting, it was clarified that the FFE proposal was now "off the table."

Later that day, Infantino attended a Women's Africa Cup of Nations match between Zambia and Malawi in Rabat, Morocco. The FIFA president was seen alongside the president of the Moroccan football federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, who publicly supported Infantino amidst the turmoil. Lekjaa praised Infantino's decision to scrap the controversial plan as wise for the sake of unity.

Infantino was previously enjoying the positive momentum from a successful World Cup co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the US. However, the backlash over the FFE proposal raised concerns about his leadership, with UEFA accusing him of poor governance. Additionally, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed a lack of confidence in Infantino’s ability to lead FIFA.