Archive · 23 Sep 2026
FIFA Reform Pledge Fails to Calm Member Association Critics
FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, suggested reviewing how FIFA makes decisions.
He also proposed talks about changing FIFA’s governance.
He made the proposal after football groups opposed selling part of FIFA’s commercial business.
The plan to sell a 20% stake was abandoned in July.
Football leaders from Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Wales said the proposal was not enough.
Some said FIFA needs new leadership.
Infantino says member associations will continue receiving development and solidarity support under existing rules.
He is expected to seek another term as president in March next year.
Gianni Infantino proposed an independent review of FIFA’s decision-making and consultations on governance reforms.
The proposal followed opposition to a failed plan to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial operations.
Football officials in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Wales said the measures did not resolve deeper leadership concerns.
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF had criticized FIFA for pursuing the investment plan without adequate consultation.
Infantino is seeking reelection in March next year, while critics are focusing on limiting the FIFA presidency’s powers.
- Who
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino and football officials from Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Wales are central to the dispute.
- What
- Infantino proposed an independent review of FIFA’s decision-making and consultations on governance reforms after opposition to a proposed 20% commercial-rights stake sale.
- When
- Infantino sent the proposal in a Monday letter; the election is scheduled for March next year, according to the article.
- Where
- The dispute involves FIFA’s 211 member associations and football bodies across Europe and other confederations; the Dutch federation proposed an international summit in Amsterdam.
- Why
- The proposal followed backlash over the abandoned investment plan and calls for deeper governance changes and new leadership.
Critical Federations
Infantino and FIFA Position
Depth of reform
Critical Federations
Officials in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Wales said the proposal was incomplete, late or focused on strategic projects rather than reforming FIFA itself.
Infantino and FIFA Position
Infantino proposed an independent review and consultations with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders to strengthen FIFA’s decision-making.
Leadership
Critical Federations
Several federations said FIFA needs new leadership, and Germany’s Bernd Neuendorf called the proposal a tactic to support Infantino’s reelection.
Infantino and FIFA Position
Infantino is pursuing reelection, while people familiar with discussions told Reuters that he appeared to retain enough support for another term.
Private investment
Critical Federations
Critics opposed selling part of FIFA’s commercial operations, arguing that FIFA should use its existing resources and that the World Cup does not need private equity.
Infantino and FIFA Position
The investment proposal was abandoned in July; Infantino’s letter instead emphasized continuing development and solidarity programs under existing rules.
- Proposal
- An independent review of FIFA’s decision-making processes and consultations on governance reforms.
- Abandoned plan
- A proposal to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial operations, including World Cup-related rights.
- Abandonment
- The private investment plan was abandoned in July after opposition from continental confederations.
- Criticism
- Football officials said the proposal did not address deeper leadership and governance concerns.
- Election
- Infantino is up for reelection in March next year.
- Membership
- FIFA has 211 member associations.
- Dutch proposal
- The Dutch Football Association called for an international reform summit in Amsterdam and Infantino’s replacement by 2027.