World football governing body FIFA has reaffirmed its support for its president, Gianni Infantino, after a crisis meeting in Morocco on Wednesday, August 6, 2026, amid increasing calls for him to resign.

The controversy centers on a now-withdrawn plan to sell a 20 percent stake in a new commercial rights entity related to the World Cup. This proposal, which FIFA has apologized for to its member associations, sparked fierce backlash, partly due to the involvement of a company linked to US President Donald Trump’s family.

European football’s governing body UEFA criticized the plan as a "shabby, backroom, opaque deal" orchestrated by Infantino. Additionally, European Leagues opposed the potential expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams, stating, “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. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country co-hosted the 2026 World Cup alongside the US and Mexico, publicly expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino's leadership.

In response, FIFA announced that a review will be conducted, with a report to be presented to the FIFA Council at its next scheduled meeting. The organization also acknowledged the need for "a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency."

Sources