FIFA backs Infantino and apologizes for the "Investment Project"

Rabat (AFP) – FIFA President Gianni Infantino received “full support” from senior officials on Wednesday, but the sport’s governing body found itself forced to apologize for the controversy sparked by its plan to open the door to private investments in the World Cup.

Facing a barrage of criticism after the plan was shelved, FIFA leadership acknowledged “mistakes” during an emergency meeting held on Wednesday in Morocco, while simultaneously backing Infantino, who is under intense pressure.

Infantino found himself in an enviable position even within his own organization due to the way he handled the proposal, as calls for his resignation have intensified since he abandoned the project last Saturday.

FIFA stated after proposing the plan that it could generate up to $4.2 billion through a new commercial subsidiary named “FIFA Forward Enterprise,” which was intended to manage tournaments such as the World Cup and the Club World Cup.

The project, if approved, would likely have provided each of the 211 member associations with a one-time payment of $20 million at the beginning of 2027, in addition to raising funding allocations for the 2027–2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million.

However, rather than serving as an incentive, it triggered angry reactions, most notably from UEFA, which threatened on Thursday to take the “nuclear option” of boycotting the World Cup.

Infantino had been basking in the success of the World Cup, which was the largest ever, featuring 48 national teams and hosted by three countries for the first time.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was among the latest opponents, stating that the man whose country co-hosted the last World Cup with the United States and Canada, in response to a question about Infantino’s latest proposal, no longer trusted the Swiss-Italian’s ability to lead FIFA.

Carney said on Wednesday, “Certainly, I no longer have confidence in Mr. Infantino after this episode, given what has happened.”