Also known as: FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom · Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom
FIFA Secretary General who distanced himself from Infantino's abandoned World Cup privatization plan in 2026.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Standard
… who would do that -– the man who would try to force through such major changes just to enrich himself and his friends -– is a relic of the game's past and should have no part in its future." One of those believed to be at the meeting is FIFA's secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom …
Embattled FIFA chief Infantino in emergency talks, suffers Figo blowCitizen Digital
… Audio By Vocalize FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom described as "excellent" and "constructive" the meeting held on Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian federation to ensure Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. …
Iran have 'constructive' meeting with FIFA over World Cup preparationsUEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has criticised FIFA President Gianni Infantino following his failed proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, stating that "football has no need for emperors" and that those governing football are custodians, not owners.
29 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has criticised FIFA President Gianni Infantino following his failed proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, stating that "football has no need for emperors" and that those governing football are custodians, not owners.
29 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Saudi Arabia's Football Federation expressed support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino and welcomed his joint statement with Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom acknowledging mistakes and abandoning a plan to bring private financing into the World Cup, which had triggered global opposition.
27 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has departed after breaking ranks with senior FIFA directors and criticizing Infantino's plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including World Cups. Lamour had refused to sign off on the deal and described it as "the project of one person."
18 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino abandoned his controversial plan to allow private investment in the World Cup, described as a "humiliating climbdown." Though he received support from senior directors and a confederation this week, his position remains precarious ahead of his potential re-election for a fourth and final term next March.
7 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
UEFA said Thursday it would continue its boycott of FIFA men's and women's World Cups despite FIFA withdrawing its plan to open competitions to private investment. UEFA cited that a second condition for withdrawing its boycott threat has not been met.
6 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has received "full support" from senior directors following a crisis meeting in Morocco, though the organisation apologised for errors made in handling a now-shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment, which had faced widespread criticism.
6 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA's leadership has given "full support" to president Gianni Infantino following his decision to shelve a controversial plan to open the World Cup to private investment, while acknowledging "errors" were made in how the proposal was handled after it was leaked to media.
6 August 2026 · The Standard →
Malawi, the lowest-ranked of 16 tournament qualifiers, advanced to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after losing 2-1 to Zambia in Rabat on Wednesday, finishing first in Group C alongside Nigeria and Zambia on six points. Nigeria also qualified by defeating Egypt 6-2, and the two will face Ghana or Mali and Cameroon respectively in the quarter-finals.
6 August 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino held emergency talks with other FIFA directors in Morocco on August 5, 2026, amid criticism over his shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment, with calls for his resignation growing since he abandoned the proposal.
5 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino came under fire from within the governing body and externally over his since-abandoned proposal to open the World Cup to private investment. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, appointed by Infantino as FIFA's chief of global football development, said the withdrawal of the project was "absolutely necessary," while FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom distanced himself from Infantino in an internal email, describing the plan as "a sad and reproachable series of events."
5 August 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino held emergency talks with FIFA directors in Morocco on Wednesday as pressure mounts over his now-shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment. Former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Luis Figo publicly called for Infantino to step down, writing in the Daily Mail that he represents "the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour" in football.
5 August 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom described a meeting held on Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian federation as "excellent" and "constructive," focusing on ensuring Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran is scheduled to play all three group matches in the US despite the war in the Middle East.
17 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →