- Infantino apologised for mistakes in communication and consultation.
- Debbie Hewitt and president Bernd Neuendorf criticised the lack of answers and documents.
- The meeting also addressed the handling of US forward Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red-card.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino apologised to members of the organisation’s ruling council over the handling of a controversial World Cup investment proposal.
However the move failed to satisfy some of his strongest critics, who continue to demand greater transparency and accountability.
The apology came during a closed-door FIFA Council meeting in Zurich on Thursday, October 15, where officials questioned Infantino about the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.
Despite Infantino expressing regret over the way the proposal was communicated and discussed, European football officials said they had not received the documents or satisfactory answers they had requested.
The dispute has added to pressure on Infantino ahead of the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027.
ALSO READ: Vinicius Jr Handed Four-Match Ban, Set To Miss El Clásico Against Barcelona
Infantino Apologises Over Abandoned World Cup Investment Plan
The FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal envisaged creating a company to manage commercial interests linked to FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, and selling a minority stake to private investors. The proposed investment was reported to be worth around $4.2 billion.
The plan was announced in July but was subsequently abandoned following strong opposition from football officials, particularly in Europe. Critics questioned why such a significant proposal had been developed without adequate consultation with the FIFA Council.
In a video statement released after Thursday’s meeting, Infantino said he had apologised for mistakes in the communication and consultation process surrounding the project. He stressed that the plan had only been a proposal and was never a completed deal.
FIFA has maintained that the initiative was intended to generate additional resources for its 211 member associations. However, the lack of detailed documentation has kept concerns about the project alive.
German And English Football Chiefs Demand Answers
German Football Association president Bernd Neuendorf emerged from the meeting unconvinced by Infantino’s explanation.
“We asked a great many critical questions, but there were no satisfactory answers from my point of view,” Neuendorf said, underlining the continuing frustration among European representatives.
The meeting therefore exposed a continuing divide between Infantino and several prominent European officials over how FIFA’s major decisions are made and scrutinised.
FIFA’s Other Controversies Also Under Scrutiny
The investment proposal was not the only issue raised at the meeting. European representatives also sought clarification over the decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban imposed on United States forward Folarin Balogun following his red card at the World Cup.
Officials questioned the circumstances surrounding the decision and reports of US President Donald Trump’s involvement. They also raised concerns about the FIFA Peace Prize awarded to Trump in December 2025.
Infantino Retains Support As Election Approaches
Despite the criticism, Infantino continues to enjoy support from officials in other regions, including Africa. Mauritania football federation president Ahmed Yahya defended his leadership, pointing to FIFA’s development funding and the expansion of the World Cup.
Infantino has led FIFA since 2016 and is seeking another term, with the presidential election scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco. The deadline to submit a candidacy to challenge him is November 18, 2026.