World football governing body FIFA has reaffirmed its support for its president, Gianni Infantino, following a crisis meeting held in Morocco on Wednesday, August 6th, 2026. The meeting came amid increasing calls for Infantino to resign after a controversial plan to sell a 20% stake in a new commercial rights entity was met with fierce backlash and subsequently withdrawn last Friday.

FIFA issued an apology to its member associations for mistakes made regarding the now-shelved proposal to open the World Cup to private investment. The plan also drew criticism due to the involvement of a company linked to US President Donald Trump’s family.

"A review will now be conducted, and a report will be presented to the FIFA Council at its next scheduled meeting," FIFA stated. The organization emphasized the need for governance reform to ensure all relevant stakeholders have a formal role in decisions shaping the future of football.

European football’s governing body UEFA described the proposal as a "shabby, backroom, opaque deal" orchestrated by Infantino. European Leagues also criticized the possibility of further expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, warning that "FIFA must not be allowed to continue taking unilaterally disruptive decisions."

The FIFA president has faced mounting pressure, including from two senior FIFA officials, since the proposal was announced. Additionally, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country co-hosted the 2026 World Cup alongside the US and Mexico, publicly stated he no longer has confidence in Infantino's leadership.

The crisis highlights calls for "a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency" and underscores the challenges FIFA faces in managing the sport's global governance.

Sources