Infantino gets FIFA backing after failed World Cup stake sale

World soccer's governing body sought to project unity on Wednesday as FIFA president Gianni Infantino received a public vote of confidence from senior staff during an emergency gathering in Rabat, Morocco. The closed-door meeting, held on the sidelines of a Women's Africa Cup of Nations match, ended with Secretary-General Mattias Grafström and members of the management board reaffirming their full support for the embattled president.

Crisis meeting turns to backing

FIFA said in a statement that those present in Rabat had expressed solidarity with Infantino, who has faced mounting criticism over a now-abandoned plan to sell stakes in future World Cup revenues. The proposal, to be run through a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was unveiled last week and immediately drew fire from within football's governing body and beyond.

The statement acknowledged that mistakes had been made and that the process should have been handled differently. FIFA said letters of apology had been sent to its Council and member associations, with a commitment to ensure such errors do not recur. It also confirmed the FFE proposal was now off the table.

A controversial plan discarded

Infantino's idea was to create a separate commercial entity that would sell stakes in the profits of the World Cup, raising billions for development projects. But the plan was slammed as opaque and risky, with critics questioning why such a significant decision had been pursued without proper consultation. Grafström had earlier distanced himself from the scheme in an email to staff, describing the preceding week as a "sad and reproachable series of events."

That email was a sharp contrast to Wednesday's display of unity. FIFA said Infantino had also reiterated his support for his secretary general, signaling that the two men remain aligned despite the public turbulence.

European leagues demand governance reform

The backlash was not limited to internal circles. European Leagues, an umbrella group representing top-flight competitions including the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, called for sweeping governance changes at FIFA. In a statement, it described the FFE proposal as "dangerous" and said it raised serious questions about "FIFA's governance, internal culture and decision-making."

The group warned that FIFA must not be allowed to continue taking "unilaterally disruptive decisions," and it voiced opposition to any further expansion of the World Cup, including a proposed increase to 64 teams. Until meaningful reform is implemented, European Leagues said it would reject the "expansion or creation" of FIFA competitions.

More criticism and a denied rumor

Former Portugal and Real Madrid star Luis Figo added his voice to the calls for Infantino's resignation, saying the president had "debased the office." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney went further, telling reporters he no longer had confidence in Infantino. Carney, whose country co-hosted the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico and the United States, called the president's failure to consult senior advisers a "fatal" governance mistake.

The meeting also prompted speculation about the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. A British media report suggested Infantino had offered Morocco the right to stage the final in exchange for political support. FIFA denied the claim, calling it "false and misleading" and saying a decision on the final's venue would be made in due course.

With the 2030 tournament format still under discussion and FIFA's next presidential election approaching, Wednesday's display of internal support may not quell the broader discontent. The crisis has exposed deep divisions over how FIFA is run, and pressure for structural change is likely to intensify as the organization moves forward.