Gianni Infantino faces CONCACAF call for reckoning

Gianni Infantino faced new pressure on August 1 after CONCACAF called for “a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency” and UEFA said FIFA's leadership had lost its confidence, even after FIFA abandoned a private-investment plan for World Cup-related business.

FIFA said the proposal “will not proceed” after opposition from major football bodies. UEFA had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if the plan went ahead.

FIFA had floated the plan earlier in the week, saying it could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a $20 billion valuation for a proposed commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise. FIFA said the subsidiary could run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.

If approved, FIFA said the project could have given each of its 211 member associations a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027 and increased their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million.

Infantino said FIFA's purpose was “to unite and improve” and that the proposal would not proceed after it created divisions that were no longer in the interest of the original objective.

UEFA welcomed the withdrawal but accused Infantino of pursuing a “shabby, back room, opaque deal”. It said FIFA's current leadership had lost its confidence and that of many other members of the football family.

CONCACAF, whose members include the United States, Canada and Mexico, criticised what it called Infantino's “poor governance and leadership”. It said the plan had advanced outside established governance frameworks and without transparency, consultation or due process.

The Asian Football Confederation said any initiative affecting global football should be presented and discussed with confederations, the FIFA Council, member associations and other stakeholders in a timely, transparent and meaningful way.

The English FA called for “a full and robust review of FIFA's leadership and governance”. The German FA called for a different culture at FIFA, saying decisions should again be discussed and made by members within governing bodies.

Senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned on Friday, calling the idea a bad deal for member associations, football and the long-term future of the game. CONMEBOL had requested more information about the proposal's scope, structure, governance and possible effects.

Infantino received support from Moroccan federation president Fouzi Lekjaa, who praised his decision to scrap the plan as a wise move in the interests of unity and cohesion. Lekjaa also said he backed Infantino's initiatives aimed at developing world football.

Infantino, who hopes to be re-elected next year for a final term, said he would focus on restoring harmony while continuing efforts to grow the game.