Infantino Gets FIFA Leadership Backing To Remain President Amid Apology Over ‘Errors’
Topline
FIFA issued an apology to its members over “errors” in handling its now-scrapped controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup but said its leaders reaffirmed their support for Gianni Infantino to remain as president, despite growing criticism and calls for his removal from world leaders and soccer legends.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) leaves Al-Madina Stadium in Rabat following the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match between Malawi and Zambia.
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
In a statement issued after a crisis meeting in Morocco, FIFA said its secretary general Mattias Grafström and members of its management board “reaffirmed their full support” for Infantino.
Infantino also reiterated his support for FIFA’s leadership and Grafström—who had publicly distanced himself from the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative.
In the statement, the soccer body acknowledged that mistakes were made in the process and “the process should have been handled differently.”
The statement also acknowledged “errors” were made after the proposal was reported by the press and said leaving member associations feeling excluded from the process was never the intention.
The body’s leadership has sent out an apology letter over this to its executive body, the FIFA Council, and all FIFA member associations “with a commitment to ensure they do not happen again,” and the promise of a review.
What Did FIFA Say About The Morocco World Cup Final Report?
Earlier on Wednesday, British newspaper The Times reported that Infantino is offering Morocco the rights to host the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for supporting his reelection as FIFA president. In a statement shared with the Associated Press, the soccer body dismissed this, saying it’s “false and misleading to claim the FIFA president has made any promise in relation to hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030 final.” The official statement also pushed back against continued criticism of FIFA and Infantino, appearing to threaten legal action. “With the [FFE] project withdrawn, it was agreed that FIFA will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation.”
Tangent
Citing unnamed sources, The Times reported that people close to Infantino would love to see a famous former player come forward to publicly support the embattled soccer body president but “it appears he is too toxic after the World Cup sell-off plan.” Earlier on Wednesday, Portugal and Real Madrid legend Luis Figo issued a statement saying: “Today I join others from across our game and call for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA President…He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve…It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now.”
What To Watch For?
Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), which previously said it has lost confidence in Infantino, has not yet responded to his plans to remain in power as president. It’s unclear if they can get other regional bodies like Asia’s AFC and North and Central America’s CONCACAF to come on board with its plan to oust the FIFA president.
chief critic
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the European Leagues—which represent all major soccer leagues in the continent including the English Premier League, La Liga and others—said while it was happy with FIFA’s decision to ditch the FFE plan the opaque process behind the matter, “raises serious questions about FIFA’s governance, internal culture and decision-making.” The body criticized FIFA’s decision to send out a consulation paper over a 64 team World Cup proposal for the 2030 event while the FFE controversy was raging. “this new proposal involves an impractically short assessment timeline (just four weeks) and zero consultation with the leagues, clubs and players whose planning and livelihoods would be most affected.” The statement added: “FIFA must not be allowed to continue taking unilaterally disruptive decisions that fly in the face of the leagues, clubs, players and fans whose sustained efforts and investment drive the value of international football competitions.”
further reading
Infantino Offers Morocco 2030 World Cup Final In Exchange For Support, Report Says (Forbes)
