Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Figo Demands 'Deceitful' Infantino Resign to Save Football
FIFA is the big organization that runs soccer all over the world.
Its president is a man named Gianni Infantino.
He had a plan to sell part of the World Cup to rich investors.
Many soccer leaders were very upset about this idea.
Three big soccer groups said 'no', so the plan was stopped.
A famous former soccer player, Luis Figo, said Infantino should quit his job.
Figo said Infantino was not honest and only cared about himself and his friends.
Infantino said his plan would give more money to every country that plays soccer.
Infantino met with other FIFA leaders in Morocco to try to fix things.
Figo and many others still believe Infantino should go now.
Former Real Madrid and Barcelona star Luis Figo publicly called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign, writing in the Daily Mail and in a post on X.
Figo accused Infantino of 'deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour' over the scrapped plan to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors.
Infantino abandoned the World Cup stake plan after three continental confederations rejected it and held emergency talks with FIFA directors in Morocco on Wednesday.
Figo claimed Infantino has lost the support of senior staff and officials, including former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and even the FIFA Peace Prize winner (US president Donald Trump).
Figo urged Infantino to step down immediately rather than wait for next year's re-election attempt, ending his post with the hashtag #InfantinoOut.
- Who
- Luis Figo, former Portugal captain and Real Madrid and Barcelona star, called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign.
- What
- Figo demanded Infantino's resignation, accusing him of 'deceitful' and 'cravenly self-interested behaviour' after the FIFA chief abandoned his plan to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors.
- When
- On Wednesday, following a fierce backlash over the last 10 days against the World Cup stake sale plan.
- Where
- Figo's remarks appeared in a Daily Mail column and in a post on X (formerly Twitter), while Infantino held emergency talks with FIFA directors in Morocco.
- Why
- Because of backlash against Infantino's plan to sell World Cup stakes and concerns about changes such as an increased World Cup every two years, which Figo said Infantino rushed through to enrich himself and his friends.
Infantino's Defense
Critics Led by Luis Figo
World Cup stake sale
Infantino's Defense
Infantino defended his proposal by claiming it would increase revenue for all FIFA member nations.
Critics Led by Luis Figo
Critics called the plan deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour meant to enrich Infantino and his friends, rushed through without consulting Football Associations across the world.
World Cup frequency
Infantino's Defense
An increased World Cup played every two years was part of the major changes associated with Infantino's proposal.
Critics Led by Luis Figo
Critics voiced concerns about potentially playing an increased World Cup every two years instead of every four.
- FIFA President
- Gianni Infantino (56)
- Proposal
- Sale of a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors
- Investment vehicle
- FIFA Forward Enterprise
- Outcome
- Plan dropped after rejection by three continental confederations
- Emergency talks
- Held with FIFA directors in Morocco on Wednesday
- Lead critic
- Luis Figo, former Portugal captain and Ballon d'Or winner
- Other critics
- Arsene Wenger and senior FIFA officials
- Figo's reported age (conflicting)
- Listed as 52 in one article and 53 in another
