Overview
- FIFA formally withdrew the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan to sell a share of future World Cup revenues after fierce objections and issued a joint apology from President Gianni Infantino and Secretary‑General Mattias Grafström, with an internal review to be presented to the FIFA Council.
- In an emergency Management Board meeting held in Rabat on Wednesday, senior FIFA officials publicly reaffirmed full support for Infantino even as they acknowledged errors in how the proposal was handled.
- UEFA and CONMEBOL have stated they have lost confidence in Infantino and have confirmed a boycott posture for FIFA competitions until their conditions for participation are met, raising the prospect of disrupted tournaments and strained relations with European and South American federations.
- New reporting of 2020 documents linking FIFA to Superlega proponents has intensified reputational pressure; the Guardian’s disclosures prompted fresh questions about past talks while FIFA has denied the reconstruction of those negotiations.
- The episode sharpens the political battle ahead of the 2027 presidential vote as Infantino vows to stay in office, counts continued support in parts of Africa and South America, and faces the practical risk that shifting federation votes and boycotts could determine his future and the commercial shape of world football.