FIFA’s top leadership has thrown its weight behind president Gianni Infantino after a controversial proposal to open the World Cup to private investment triggered widespread criticism across the football world.
Following an emergency meeting in Morocco on Wednesday, FIFA officials said Infantino retained their “full support” while admitting that mistakes were made in the handling of the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan.
The proposal, which aimed to create a new commercial arm to manage major FIFA events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup, was projected to raise up to $4.2 billion from investors.
FIFA had argued that the move could strengthen financial support for its 211 member associations, with each federation potentially receiving a one-time payment of $20 million in early 2027.
Funding allocations for the 2027–2030 cycle were also expected to rise from $8 million to $20 million.
Instead of winning support, the plan sparked a major backlash, with critics questioning the transparency and governance behind the idea.
”UEFA described the proposal as a “shabby, back-room, opaque deal” and warned that FIFA’s leadership had lost the confidence of many within the football community.
Amid growing pressure, Infantino withdrew the proposal on Saturday, saying FIFA’s mission remained focused on bringing people together.
“Our purpose has always been — and will always be — to unite and improve,” Infantino said.
In a statement after the Rabat meeting, FIFA’s management board and secretary-general reaffirmed their backing for Infantino, describing him as “the only official elected by the 211 FIFA Member Associations.”
The organisation also acknowledged shortcomings in the process surrounding the FFE proposal.
“It was not the intention for the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations to feel excluded from the process and the process should have been handled differently,” FIFA said.
The governing body added that errors were also made after details of the proposal reached the media.
“In a separate letter to the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations, an apology was made for these errors together with a commitment to ensure they do not happen again,” the statement said.
FIFA confirmed that the investment proposal had now been shelved and that a review would be carried out, with a report to be presented at the next FIFA Council meeting.
The controversy has created the biggest challenge yet to Infantino’s leadership, despite his recent success overseeing the expanded 2026 World Cup featuring 48 teams and hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Before the dispute, the Swiss lawyer appeared set for another term as FIFA president, with no challenger emerging ahead of the expected election in Rabat next March.
However, the investment controversy changed the mood dramatically.
UEFA accused FIFA of poor decision-making, while CONCACAF called for “a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency,” citing concerns over governance and leadership.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country hosted the 2026 tournament, also said he no longer had confidence in Infantino’s ability to lead football’s global body.
Despite the criticism, Infantino received backing from Moroccan football federation president Fouzi Lekjaa, who praised the decision to withdraw the proposal.
Lekjaa described the move as a wise step taken in the interest of “unity and cohesion” and repeated his support for Infantino’s efforts to develop global football.
During his visit to Morocco, Infantino attended a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match between Zambia and Malawi in Rabat, appearing alongside Moroccan football officials.
While FIFA has moved to calm the storm, the controversy has raised fresh questions about transparency, decision-making and the future direction of world football’s governing body.
