FIFA President Gianni Infantino has apologised to the FIFA Council following controversy over a plan to establish a new commercial company and sell part of its shares to private investors.
However, the move has failed to ease concerns among several football officials, who want documents relating to the plan made public and key questions answered before they can renew their confidence in his leadership of the organisation.
According to reports by Reuters and The Associated Press, Infantino issued the apology during a FIFA Council meeting held in Zurich, Switzerland, on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The meeting lasted approximately three and a half hours, with the president facing questions about how the proposal had been developed and presented.
Controversy Surrounding the FIFA Forward Enterprise Plan
At the centre of the dispute is a proposal known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which aimed to establish a company to manage FIFA's commercial activities, including the World Cup, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, ticketing and licensing.
The proposal envisaged selling part of the company's equity to private investors to raise additional funds for the development of football worldwide.
Reports indicate that investors were expected to contribute approximately US$4.2 billion, while the company was estimated to be worth US$20 billion.
An investment firm associated with Joshua Kushner, through Thrive Eternal, was named as being involved in the proposal.
However, the plan faced significant opposition, particularly from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), which raised concerns about the transparency of the process, how the value of the commercial rights had been assessed, and the possibility of investors securing long-term interests in FIFA's commercial operations.
FIFA scrapped the proposal on July 31, 2026, following opposition from football officials and various national associations.
Infantino Admits Communication Failures
Speaking before the FIFA Council, Infantino acknowledged that mistakes had been made in the way communication and consultations regarding the project were handled.
He explained that the plan had been only a proposal, not a finalised agreement, and that its objective was to raise additional funding to support FIFA's 211 member associations.
However, his critics have questioned why a proposal with such significant implications for FIFA's commercial rights was developed without adequately involving FIFA Council members and other key stakeholders from the outset.
According to reports from the meeting, some council members had learned about the proposal through the media rather than receiving official briefings in advance.
Infantino's apology, therefore, did not appear sufficient to restore the confidence of officials seeking detailed explanations about the decision.
England and Germany Continue to Criticise Him
Among the officials taking a firm stance were Football Association (FA) chair Debbie Hewitt and German Football Association president Bernd Neuendorf.
Hewitt said the meeting had provided no new information that would change her position on Infantino's leadership. She stressed the importance of making the FFE project documents public and answering questions that remain unresolved.
Neuendorf, meanwhile, called for major reforms to FIFA's governance, expressing concern that meaningful change could be difficult to achieve under the current leadership.
UEFA Takes Legal Action
The controversy has extended beyond internal FIFA discussions and into legal proceedings.
According to Reuters, UEFA has taken action in a US court to seek documents and evidence from entities linked to FIFA in preparation for potential legal proceedings in Switzerland.
UEFA has raised questions about how the FFE proposal was developed and valued, and whether FIFA's governance procedures were followed.
FIFA and Infantino have maintained that the proposal was intended to increase resources for football development, while disagreements remain over how its information and documents can be disclosed as legal matters continue.
Another Controversy Adds to the Pressure
Beyond the commercial rights dispute, the FIFA Council meeting also raised questions about the decision to overturn a disciplinary sanction imposed on US player Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup.
Officials sought clarification about the circumstances surrounding the decision and allegations of intervention by US President Donald Trump.
There was also criticism of the FIFA peace prize awarded to Trump, with some officials calling for the award process to be reviewed to ensure transparency and prevent the organisation from appearing politically aligned.
Infantino Still Has Support Within FIFA
Despite the criticism, Infantino continues to enjoy support from some football officials and associations, particularly in Africa and other regions outside Europe.
One of the reasons cited in the debate is the funding FIFA provides to support football development in member countries, particularly those with limited resources.
FIFA has also announced plans to increase funding for its member associations during the 2027–2030 period, a move that is expected
