Archive · 5 Aug 2026
FIFA Chief Infantino Calls Crisis Meeting After FFE Plan Backlash
FIFA is the group that runs the biggest soccer games in the world.
The man in charge of FIFA is called Gianni Infantino.
He had a plan to let outside business people buy a part of FIFA's tournaments and events.
Many soccer groups, including ones in Europe, the Americas and Asia, did not like this plan.
They said FIFA should stay independent and transparent instead of being sold to private investors.
Because so many people complained, Mr Infantino took the plan back.
He asked important soccer leaders to come to a meeting in Rabat, Morocco.
A top FIFA official named Arsene Wenger said stopping the plan was the right thing to do.
Some soccer groups, like the one in Wales, no longer want Mr Infantino to stay in charge.
Later, there will be a vote to decide if he can lead FIFA again.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino will hold a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco on Wednesday after backlash against his plan to sell off FIFA's commercial and event operations.
Infantino was forced to withdraw the proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial subsidiary that would have managed FIFA's tournament operations and rights.
The plan faced fierce opposition from UEFA, Concacaf, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), several national associations and senior figures within FIFA.
Arsene Wenger backed the withdrawal as "absolutely necessary and beyond question", while UEFA threatened legal action over the proposal.
Wales became the first association to officially withdraw support for Infantino's re-election, and he needs 106 votes from FIFA's 211 members in March 2027.
- Who
- Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, who faces opposition from UEFA, Concacaf, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), several national associations and figures within FIFA; Arsene Wenger backed the withdrawal of the plan.
- What
- Infantino withdrew his plan to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a company to run FIFA's commercial and event operations, and called a crisis meeting after global backlash.
- When
- The crisis meeting takes place on Wednesday; Infantino is due to seek re-election in March 2027.
- Where
- Rabat, Morocco.
- Why
- Because the proposal to sell off FIFA's commercial and event operations and allow private investors to acquire an equity stake drew fierce criticism.
Support for Infantino's FFE Plan
Opposition to Infantino's FFE Plan
FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal
Support for Infantino's FFE Plan
Infantino proposed creating FFE, a commercial subsidiary to manage FIFA's major competition rights, including the World Cup, while allowing private investors to acquire an equity stake.
Opposition to Infantino's FFE Plan
UEFA, Concacaf, the AFC, several national associations and senior FIFA figures fiercely opposed it; UEFA threatened legal action, and Arsene Wenger called the withdrawal "absolutely necessary and beyond question" in favor of an independent, transparent governing body.
Infantino's re-election as FIFA president
Support for Infantino's FFE Plan
Infantino is set to stand for a final term as FIFA president in March 2027, needing 106 votes from FIFA's 211 members to win.
Opposition to Infantino's FFE Plan
The Football Association of Wales officially withdrew its support, becoming the first association to do so, and England's FA was set to withdraw support as well.
- FIFA President
- Gianni Infantino
- Withdrawn plan
- FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial subsidiary to manage FIFA tournament operations and rights
- Opponents
- UEFA, Concacaf, Asian Football Confederation (AFC), several national associations and figures within FIFA
- Crisis meeting
- Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday
- UEFA response
- Threatened legal action over the proposal
- First association to withdraw support
- Football Association of Wales (FAW)
- Expected withdrawal
- England's Football Association set to withdraw support for Infantino's re-election
- Re-election
- March 2027, final term; needs 106 votes from FIFA's 211 member associations
