At a gathering of FIFA’s Management Board in Marrakech, secretary general Mattias Grafström voiced unwavering confidence in President Gianni Infantino, even as the latter’s ambitious plan to sell World Cup broadcasting rights was abandoned.
A contested future for FIFA leadership
UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation issued joint statements rejecting the proposal, effectively blocking any move to privatize the tournament’s commercial revenues.
Infantino later offered an apology to member associations, acknowledging missteps in the Forward Enterprise initiative and promising a thorough review that will be presented at the next FIFA Council meeting.
The fallout has opened space for political figures such as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Concacaf chief Victor Montagliani to consider challenging Infantino in the 2027 election, adding a layer of geopolitical tension to the sport’s governing body.
While Infantino retains the backing of key confederations, the episode underscores a fragile consensus and raises questions about the president’s ability to navigate both administrative dissent and external political pressure.