Infantino launches governance reform consultation amid FIFA crisis
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has written to all 211 member associations proposing a formal consultation to reform the global football body's decision-making processes, following the collapse of a controversial private investment plan that triggered a crisis in his leadership.
The proposal, set out in a letter obtained by AFP, calls for a structured dialogue with confederations, member associations and stakeholders to strengthen governance, clarify institutional roles, and improve transparency in major strategic initiatives. Initial proposals will be examined on 15 October, when the FIFA Council convenes.
What prompted the reform offer
The move comes two months after Infantino was forced to abandon the "FIFA Forward Enterprise" project — a plan to create a commercial subsidiary open to private investors that would have managed FIFA assets, including the World Cup. The proposal, which envisaged selling a 20% stake in commercial rights for around $4.2bn, was drawn up in secret and withdrawn in July 2026 after fierce opposition from UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation.
UEFA threatened to boycott future FIFA competitions if the plan proceeded and declared it had "lost confidence in the presidency of Gianni Infantino." Concacaf called for a "complete review" of governance, arguing the initiative was symptomatic of leadership that had "stopped putting football first and acts without transparency and consultation."
What Infantino is proposing now
In his letter, the Italian-Swiss official — who has led FIFA since 2016 and is the sole declared candidate for re-election in March 2027 — set out several areas for reform:
• More timely involvement of institutional bodies in major decisions
• Clearer roles for the President, Bureau of the Council, Council and Congress
• Concrete measures to strengthen transparency, participation and accountability in strategic initiatives
• The possibility of commissioning an independent external review of FIFA's governance framework
Written contributions received after the 15 October meeting, "within a reasonable timeframe," will also be considered, Infantino added.
Parallel pressure on FIFA finances
Separately, UEFA and Concacaf have submitted a joint request for FIFA to distribute at least $10M to each member federation over the 2027–2030 cycle — roughly $2.1bn in total. The proposal, from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, estimates FIFA will close the 2023–2026 cycle with reserves of approximately $6bn, the highest in its history.
The two confederations argue FIFA can afford significantly larger distributions for infrastructure and development without selling competition rights or requiring anything in return. They have also demanded an independent review of FIFA's financial position with full access to figures and projections.
How federations are responding
Reactions have been mixed. Infantino wrote on Instagram that he had received "positive messages from several parts of the world" following the letter and posted videos of meetings with authorities in Jeddah during the Gulf Cup.
However, significant opposition remains. The German Football Association president, Bernd Neuendorf — a FIFA Council member — described the offer of an external review as a "transparent ploy to secure re-election." National federations including Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and Scotland have withdrawn support. The Dutch federation (KNVB) plans to host a global summit on FIFA reform, inviting all 211 associations but excluding Infantino.
What happens next
The FIFA Council will discuss the proposals on 15 October 2026. Potential challengers must declare their candidacy by 18 November. The presidential election is scheduled for 18 March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco.
Infantino, who visited Saudi Arabia this week for the Gulf Cup opening, wrote: "We must promote a culture of dialogue, mutual listening and respect. This is not about seeking headlines, but acting in the best interest of football. I have never been so determined and committed to this goal."
Those familiar with discussions believe Infantino retains sufficient backing to remain in contention. But UEFA, the AFC and Concacaf are coordinating efforts to field a single opposing candidate — with names including Concacaf's Victor Montagliani and AFC president Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa among those floated in media reports.
