FIFA President Infantino Apologizes for World Cup Privatization Plan but Critics Remain Unsatisfied

FIFA President Gianni Infantino apologized to the organization's ruling council on 15 October 2026 for mistakes in the communication and consultation process around a plan to sell stakes in World Cup commercial rights. The meeting in Zurich was the first full council gathering since Infantino announced and then abandoned the FIFA Forward Enterprise project in July.

The proposal would have created a subsidiary controlling commercial rights to the men's and women's World Cups and Club World Cups, valued at roughly 20 billion dollars. Minority stakes were to be offered to private investors, with Thrive Eternal, the firm of venture capitalist Joshua Kushner, identified as the lead. Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. The plan became public through media reports and was withdrawn within days after criticism from member associations.

Infantino opened the 15 October session by apologizing for the lack of prior consultation. FIFA said the council was briefed on the legal background of the abandoned subsidiary and that a working group would review governance procedures. The organization also proposed increasing development funds distributed to its 211 member associations, potentially reaching 25 million dollars per association over the next four-year cycle.

Critics were not satisfied. Bernd Neuendorf of the German Football Association said no satisfactory answers were provided and that the documents requested by European officials had not been supplied. UEFA has continued to challenge Infantino's leadership ahead of the presidential election in March 2027. Infantino is seeking a fourth and final term and currently faces one declared opponent, former Switzerland international Ramon Vega. Leaders of UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF have previously called for his resignation over the episode.

A legal challenge related to the proposal is underway in the United States. FIFA maintains that details of the investment discussions remain confidential. Infantino did not speak to media after the three-and-a-half-hour meeting but released a video statement acknowledging errors in the process. The council also discussed the Folarin Balogun red-card case from the 2026 World Cup, in which Trump intervened, though that matter received less public attention after the meeting.

The abandoned plan exposed divisions inside FIFA over commercial strategy and governance. The men's World Cup generates the bulk of FIFA revenue, approximately 15 billion dollars in the 2026 cycle, while off-years produce losses. Infantino has argued that private capital could stabilize finances and increase payouts to member associations. Opponents counter that selling stakes in the tournament's commercial rights would dilute the organization's control and introduce external influence.

The 15 October apology does not resolve the underlying dispute. UEFA officials left the meeting stating they still lack the written evidence they requested. The working group on governance has yet to begin its review. For the March election, the episode remains the central issue for Infantino's opponents. Member associations will weigh the apology and the proposed increase in development funds against the lack of documentation and the continued legal proceedings.

FIFA has not indicated whether any form of private investment in tournament rights will be revisited. The council's next scheduled meetings will determine whether the working group produces concrete recommendations before the election campaign intensifies.