By Daily Review Online
FIFA President Gianni Infantino remains under mounting pressure despite receiving the backing of the world football governing body’s leadership following the collapse of a controversial plan to sell a minority stake in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.
In a statement issued on Thursday, FIFA acknowledged that “mistakes” were made in the handling of the proposal, admitting the process should have involved greater consultation with its Council and member associations. The organisation, however, reaffirmed its full support for Infantino as he prepares to seek re-election in 2027.
The proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative aimed to sell up to a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private investors in a deal reportedly valued at about $4.2 billion. The proposal sparked widespread criticism from football stakeholders, who argued it prioritised commercial interests over the sport.
Global players’ union FIFPRO condemned the plan as an abuse of power, accusing FIFA of developing a project of such magnitude behind closed doors without meaningful consultation. European football governing body UEFA also maintained its opposition, stating it had lost confidence in Infantino and that its position remained unchanged despite FIFA’s apology.
The criticism has continued to spread across football’s governing bodies. The English Football Association reportedly withdrew its support for Infantino’s bid for another term and urged him to resign. South America’s governing body, CONMEBOL, also expressed concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the abandoned proposal, calling for stronger institutional governance and democratic decision-making within FIFA.
Jordan Football Association President Prince Ali bin Al Hussein likewise reiterated his opposition to Infantino, insisting neither he nor his federation would support the FIFA president’s re-election.
Despite the growing backlash, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) threw its weight behind Infantino, stating that although mistakes had been made, FIFA acted within its regulatory framework.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Infantino, who is expected to seek a fourth and final term as FIFA president in elections scheduled for March 2027. While no challenger has officially entered the race, several leading football administrators have been mentioned as possible candidates.