In brief
In a tense meeting in Rabat, FIFA’s management board backed Gianni Infantino to remain president, even as the governing body acknowledged mistakes surrounding its FFE investment scheme. Critics, including UEFA and senior FIFA officials, accused Infantino of opaque dealings and poor communication. The FFE proposal, intended to bring private investors into FIFA competitions, was leaked prematurely and drew a backlash over lack of consultation with member associations. Despite acknowledging the errors, FIFA vowed to protect its reputation and conduct a review of its processes. Infantino’s future tenure will hinge on whether the organization restores trust among its stakeholders.
Gianni Infantino, elected in 2016, stands before the World Cup 2026 Group D match between Australia and Turkey.
In a press‑release released just hours after a meeting in Morocco, FIFA confirmed that its management board has chosen to keep President Gianni Infantino in office, despite mounting criticism over its failure to handle its FFE (FIFA Forward Enterprise) investment proposal transparently.
The proposal, which aimed to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, was presented to the board in Rabat and included a $40 million incentive for associations willing to back the venture. However, the announcement was leaked to the media, provoking discontent from the FIFA Council and member associations, who felt excluded from the discussion.
The organization publicly admitted it had made mistakes during the process. It stated that the intention was never to alienate stakeholders and pledged a thorough review of its communication and decision‑making protocols.
UEFA expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino, describing the FFE proposal as a “shabby, back‑room, opaque deal”. High‑ranking FIFA officials—including Secretary General Mattias Grofström—also criticised the proposal but subsequently reaffirmed support for Infantino in a board statement after the meeting.
The governing body also denied a rumor that Infantino had promised Morocco the 2030 World Cup final in return for support, labeling the claim as “false and misleading”. It said a decision on the venue will be made “in due course”.
Since the vote, FIFA intends to strengthen governance, protect its reputation, and rebuild trust with its member associations.
