FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces leadership crisis after failed commercial plan

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing an intense leadership crisis following the withdrawal of a controversial plan to sell a 20% stake of World Cup commercial rights to private investors. The proposal, which involved creating a new entity called 'FIFA Forward Enterprises,' was scrapped on August 1, 2026, after facing universal opposition from national football associations, including all 55 UEFA members and the CONCACAF confederation. The backlash was fueled by reports that Infantino intended to secure a high-paying executive role in the new structure after his presidency, with some sources claiming his potential annual compensation could have risen from $3 million to $30 million.

Following the collapse of the project, which led to the resignation of senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro, various football organizations are demanding an investigation. UEFA has formally requested that all records, emails, and files related to the plan be preserved to facilitate potential legal action. Claudius Schäfer, head of European professional football leagues, stated that Infantino's position has become untenable. Meanwhile, reports suggest that international governing bodies and media scrutiny have pushed the FIFA leadership into isolation, with further investigations likely to determine the future of the organization's governance.