FIFA issued an apology to its 211 member associations on Thursday for the missteps surrounding its ambitious plan to sell a 20 percent stake in a new commercial‑rights entity to private investors, a move that was projected to generate roughly $4.2 billion in revenue.
The proposal, which had been championed by President Gianni Infantino, was quickly withdrawn after a wave of criticism from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and the African Confederation, all of which questioned the governance of Infantino’s re‑election and the speed of the process.
The Road Ahead for FIFA Governance
Former Portugal star Luis Figo joined the chorus of dissent, calling for the FIFA chief to step down, while Mattias Grafström, the head of the players’ union, warned that the rushed timeline threatened the integrity of world football.
Infantino still enjoys robust backing from many African football associations that rely on FIFA’s financial support, and the Confederation of African Football has so far refrained from taking a formal stance, though Oceania’s executive committee will debate the issue next Wednesday.
Morocco, Portugal and Spain, the joint hosts of the 2030 World Cup, have publicly declared their loyalty to Infantino, even as European leagues accuse FIFA of unilateral and disruptive decisions that include an impractical plan to expand the tournament to 64 teams by 2030.
FIFA denied any promises made by Infantino regarding the allocation of the 2030 final, and the governing body said it will address the governance gaps exposed by the episode while reassuring member nations of its commitment to transparent decision‑making.