06/08/2026
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has apologised for what he described as errors surrounding the controversial Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, but he remains in office after receiving renewed backing from FIFA's senior leadership in Rabat, Morocco.
The plan, which involved offering private investors stakes in FIFA competitions, including the men's and women's World Cups, faced strong criticism over transparency and governance. UEFA said it had lost confidence in Infantino, while several football figures and national associations also questioned his leadership.
Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom later issued an apology to FIFA officials and member associations, acknowledging that the process should have been handled differently. FIFA maintained that the actions taken complied with its regulations and said reforms could strengthen governance and restore confidence.
Despite the internal vote of support, the controversy is unlikely to disappear quickly. Former football star Luis Figo called for Infantino to resign, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also expressed a lack of confidence in him.
Infantino is expected to seek a fourth term, with the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027 in Morocco. Candidates must secure at least 106 of FIFA's 211 votes to win. With UEFA continuing to oppose his leadership, the next election could become a major test of Infantino's influence over world football.
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