Infantino calls for review of football governance

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent review of the governing body’s decision-making and governance procedures after a proposed private investment plan involving World Cup commercial rights triggered a backlash from several major football organisations.

In a letter sent to FIFA’s 211 member associations and the FIFA Council, Infantino said he would ask the Council at its October 15 meeting whether it wanted to commission an external assessment of FIFA’s governance framework for major strategic initiatives.

He also proposed structured consultations with confederations, national associations and other stakeholders on how FIFA could strengthen decision-making, transparency, participation and accountability.

The review could examine the respective roles of the president, bureau, Council and Congress.

The proposal follows the collapse of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), an initiative that would have allowed private investors to acquire a stake in a new commercial entity linked to FIFA’s major competitions, including the World Cup.

The plan was withdrawn in July after strong opposition from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF.

UEFA had threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions, while the three confederations later called for Infantino to step down and demanded changes to FIFA’s governance.

Infantino defended the original project, saying FIFA's authority and sporting independence were not for sale.

But in his letter, he acknowledged that details of the proposal entered the public domain before FIFA’s institutional process had been completed, creating the impression that decisions had already been taken.

He said the withdrawal did not change FIFA’s ambition to generate additional resources for football, but that future initiatives needed a stronger decision-making process.

The proposed review has not, however, ended the dispute.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said on Wednesday that the collapse of the investment plan had damaged trust in football and that confidence had not yet been restored.

He said football’s governance should be based on unity, transparency and serving the wider game.

Several national associations have also questioned the scope of Infantino's proposal.

Germany’s football federation president Bernd Neuendorf described the initiative as an attempt to strengthen Infantino’s position ahead of next year’s election, while officials in the Netherlands, Sweden and Wales said broader reforms were needed.

Some FIFA Council members are also pushing for the review to examine the abandoned FFE project itself rather than focusing only on future governance procedures.

They have called for greater access to documents surrounding the proposal.

The dispute comes as Infantino prepares to seek a fourth term as FIFA president at the election scheduled for March 2027.

He has confirmed his intention to run and remains the only formally confirmed candidate, while CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani has been widely discussed as a potential challenger.

Candidates have until November 18 to enter the race.

Infantino has said he remains committed to leading FIFA and urged its members to engage in dialogue over the organisation’s future.

The proposed independent review and consultation process are expected to be discussed at the FIFA Council meeting in Zurich on October 15.