World football governing body FIFA has reaffirmed its support for its president, Gianni Infantino, after a crisis meeting held in Morocco on Wednesday, August 6, 2026. The meeting came amid increasing calls for Infantino to resign following backlash over a now-withdrawn proposal to open the World Cup to private investment.

The controversial plan involved selling a 20 percent stake in a new commercial rights entity, which provoked fierce criticism, including due to the involvement of a company linked to US President Donald Trump’s family. European football’s governing body UEFA described the proposal as a "shabby, backroom, opaque deal" orchestrated by Infantino.

FIFA issued an apology to its member associations for mistakes made regarding the proposal and announced that a review will be conducted. "A review will now be conducted, and a report will be presented to the FIFA Council at its next scheduled meeting," the FIFA statement said.

Pressure on Infantino has intensified, including from two senior FIFA officials and various stakeholders. 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.”

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

Despite these challenges, FIFA continues to stand behind its president, signaling a comprehensive reckoning with his presidency is underway.

Sources