FIFA president Gianni Infantino convened emergency talks with top officials in Morocco, seeking support amid a growing crisis over his handling of a shelved World Cup investment plan. The meeting, held at FIFA's Africa headquarters in Sale, near Rabat, followed intense criticism and calls for Infantino's resignation. The plan, which aimed to open the World Cup to private investment, faced a furious backlash, leading to its withdrawal last Saturday.
Infantino's Proposal Sparks Outrage
Infantino's proposal to create a new commercial subsidiary, the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage events like the World Cup and Club World Cup, was met with widespread outrage. The plan, which aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion, promised significant financial benefits to FIFA's member associations but was criticized for its opacity and potential conflicts of interest. European football's governing body, UEFA, condemned the proposal as a 'shabby, back room, opaque deal' and threatened to boycott the World Cup.
Calls for Infantino's Resignation Intensify
Following the withdrawal of the plan, calls for Infantino's resignation have intensified. Former football stars, including Luis Figo, have publicly called for Infantino to step down, accusing him of deceitful and self-interested behavior. North and Central American football's governing body, CONCACAF, also criticized Infantino's leadership, calling for 'a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency.' Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country co-hosted the 2026 World Cup, expressed his loss of confidence in Infantino's ability to lead FIFA.





























