World football governing body FIFA has reaffirmed its support for its embattled 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 proposal to open the World Cup to private investment sparked fierce backlash.

FIFA apologized to its member associations for mistakes made regarding the now-shelved plan to sell a 20 percent stake in a new commercial rights entity. This proposal was withdrawn last Friday after criticism, including concerns over the involvement of a company linked to US President Donald Trump’s family.

European football’s governing body UEFA described the plan as a "shabby, backroom, opaque deal" orchestrated by Infantino. The FIFA president has faced mounting pressure, including from two senior FIFA officials, with calls for him to step down.

European Leagues criticized the possibility of further expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, stating, “FIFA must not be allowed to continue taking unilaterally disruptive decisions.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country co-hosted the 2026 World Cup alongside the US and Mexico, also expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino's leadership abilities.

In response, FIFA announced that a review will be conducted, with a report to be presented at the next scheduled FIFA Council meeting. The organization emphasized the need for governance reform to ensure all relevant stakeholders have a formal role in decisions shaping the future of the game.

Sources