Ex-FIFA chief Blatter blasts plan to sell stake in World Cup to investors By Reuters July 30, 2026 08:31 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter arrives before a commemoration ser …
… Infantino, who replaced Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016, is set to stand for re-election in 2027 as he seeks a fourth term leading world football's governing body. …
… FairSquare said in an accompanying press release that the letter was "the most significant intervention by European policymakers into misgovernance and rulebreaking at the top of the world game since the European Parliament called on Infantino's predecessor Sepp Blatter to resign …
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed consulting the 211 member associations on how to strengthen FIFA's decision-making processes, in a letter following backlash to his plan to bring private investment into the World Cups.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed consulting the 211 member associations on how to strengthen FIFA's decision-making processes, in a letter following backlash to his plan to bring private investment into the World Cups.
France's Football Federation announced it will not support Gianni Infantino's candidacy for FIFA president in the March 2027 election, joining other European federations including Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales in withdrawing support. The FFF stated that trust in the FIFA president has been betrayed and that world football governance no longer reflects their values.
France has withdrawn support for Gianni Infantino's candidacy for FIFA president in the March 2027 election, aligning with Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales. The French Football Federation cited a loss of trust in the FIFA president's governance of world football, citing his abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cups.
Italy's national football federation withdrew its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup, joining other European associations in scrapping their backing ahead of his re-election bid at next year's FIFA Congress.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled himself out of contention to replace FIFA President Gianni Infantino, while warning that Infantino must quit or face a leadership challenge. Infantino has faced mounting pressure to step down over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, with UEFA and other continental federations withdrawing support.
UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has said he is not interested in replacing FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but warned that Infantino must either quit or face a leadership challenge in March over his abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments. UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions and several federations have withdrawn support for Infantino.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino withdrew his plan to raise private investment for a new commercial subsidiary to run World Cup operations after global backlash. UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC released an open letter criticizing his leadership style, despite calls for unity.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has lost UEFA's confidence after his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup triggered global backlash and calls for his resignation, despite FIFA withdrawing the proposal. His previously unopposed path to a fourth term in March's election has been significantly weakened.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has lost the "confidence" of UEFA after his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup was withdrawn following global backlash, marking the first significant threat to his position despite his recent successes with expanded tournaments.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino's position is threatened for the first time following the failure of a private investor plan, despite his recent successes in expanding the Club World Cup and World Cup and delivering increased revenue to FIFA's 211 member associations.
FIFA plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise, a subsidiary bundling its money-making activities (broadcast rights, sponsorship, ticketing, licensing, event delivery) valued at around $20 billion, and would sell up to 20% stakes to outside investors while retaining majority control.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticised FIFA's plan to create a $20 billion subsidiary to run the World Cup, saying the tournament is not a commercial asset and warning that turning FIFA into a profit-oriented structure would cause it to lose its soul.
African football chief Patrice Motsepe praised FIFA president Gianni Infantino as a devoted steward of the game and friend of Africa, defending him against criticism over decisions including a suspension delay for a US striker and hydration breaks.
Fifty members of the European Parliament have urged FIFA's ethics committee to investigate president Gianni Infantino for awarding a 'peace prize' to US President Donald Trump, supporting a complaint by sports human rights group FairSquare that cited FIFA's code of ethics requiring political neutrality.