FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell approximately 20% of the World Cup's equity through a commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), aiming to raise US$4.2 billion, triggered a tsunami‑level backlash across global football. On Wednesday (Aug. 5), FIFA issued a statement acknowledging that "mistakes were made" in the process, apologising to the FIFA Council and member associations, and pledging to "ensure this does not happen again." However, Secretary General Mattias Grafström and members of the Management Committee attending the summit in Morocco still reaffirmed their full support for President Infantino.
Acknowledging "flawed approach" but refusing further attacks
FIFA's statement said the FFE proposal has now been shelved and that "the mistakes made during the process have been acknowledged and should have been handled differently." The statement also stressed: "FIFA will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process, and will take all necessary measures to protect and defend its reputation."
Ironically, Grafström had sent an email to all FIFA staff last week describing the past week as "a deplorable and reprehensible series of events" and distancing himself from Infantino. Yet on Wednesday he expressed support for the embattled president. FIFA also said Infantino had reaffirmed his support for the Secretary General.
Tsunami‑level backlash across global football
The European Leagues association (which includes the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A) also stated on Wednesday, describing the FFE proposal as "dangerous" and raising "serious concerns" about FIFA's governance, internal culture and decision‑making model, calling for governance reforms to "ensure all stakeholders have a formal role in decisions shaping football's future."
Portuguese and Real Madrid legend Luís Figo publicly called for Infantino to step down, accusing him of "debasing the office."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also voiced a "loss of confidence" in Infantino, criticising his failure to consult senior advisers as a "fatal governance error." Carney had appeared alongside Infantino on multiple occasions during the 2026 World Cup.
UEFA even voted to boycott the World Cup if Infantino pushed ahead with the FFE plan. Even after Infantino withdrew the US$20 billion proposal last Saturday (Aug. 2), UEFA said it "had lost confidence in FIFA's leadership," setting the stage for a challenge to his presidency. CONCACAF also criticised FIFA's leadership for "having ceased to put football first."
FIFA internally fractured
Signs of internal rebellion are equally evident. Global Football Development Director Arsène Wenger has distanced himself from the FFE plan; Infantino's senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned last week; and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour said staff felt "deceived" by a "lack of transparency."
Denying "bribing" Morocco with 2030 final
Separately, FIFA denied British media reports that Infantino had ever promised Morocco the hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for support. Spain, Portugal and Morocco are the main co‑hosts for the 2030 World Cup; Morocco hopes to stage the final at the King Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca (capacity 115,000), while Spain has the home stadiums of Real Madrid and Barcelona as competitors. A FIFA spokesperson stressed: "Infantino has never made any commitment regarding the hosting of the 2030 World Cup final."
Infantino is currently seeking a fourth term in elections scheduled for March next year, but this turmoil has severely damaged his governance credibility, leaving his re‑election prospects highly uncertain.
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