FIFA backs Infantino after World Cup rights venture collapses

FIFA circles wagons around embattled president

FIFA has formally pledged its backing for president Gianni Infantino after a controversial plan to sell World Cup broadcasting rights collapsed this week. The executive committee, meeting behind closed doors in Zurich, issued a statement affirming "full confidence" in Infantino's leadership, despite mounting criticism from within the sport.

The shelved initiative, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise, was meant to centralise the sale of media rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups. Its failure marks a significant setback for Infantino, who had championed the project as a way to maximise revenue for FIFA's 211 member associations.

Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, reportedly offered an apology to the executive committee for the plan's collapse. But he remains in his post, with no formal motion tabled for his removal.

What went wrong with FIFA Forward Enterprise?

The proposed structure would have seen FIFA bypass traditional broadcast partners and sell rights directly to streaming platforms and regional networks. Supporters argued it would cut out middlemen and boost returns. Critics, however, warned it concentrated too much power in the president's office and lacked transparency.

Details of the collapse remain murky. Several major broadcasters reportedly balked at the terms, while internal disagreements over revenue-sharing models added to the gridlock. By late July, the plan was quietly shelved, leaving FIFA's commercial strategy in limbo.

Industry experts note the timing is awkward. With the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico less than two years away, broadcast deals for key markets like Europe and Asia are still unsigned. FIFA has not yet confirmed how it will proceed with rights sales.

Infantino's apology and the backlash

Infantino's apology, delivered in a closed session, was described by one participant as "sincere but defensive." He acknowledged mistakes in the rollout but insisted the underlying goal of increasing revenue for smaller football nations was sound.

The apology has done little to quell his detractors. The Guardian's Jonathan Liew wrote that Infantino is "getting his karmic kicking," questioning why football took so long to rebel against FIFA's leadership. The Hindu ran a scathing editorial on the shelved venture, calling it "a foul" against the sport's governance principles.

Former players and administrators have joined the chorus. Some are demanding a full audit of how the plan was developed and who stood to benefit. Others are pushing for a special congress to discuss constitutional reforms.

Calls for a new commercial-age constitution

The Economist, in a separate commentary, argued that FIFA needs a constitution suited to the commercial age. The current governance framework, it said, was designed for an era when football's finances were far simpler and the president's role less dominant.

That view is gaining traction. Several European federations have privately urged FIFA to separate its commercial operations from political decision-making. A proposed model would see an independent board oversee media rights and sponsorship deals, leaving the president to focus on diplomacy and development.

No formal proposal has been tabled yet, but sources say the topic is likely to dominate the next FIFA Council meeting. Infantino, for his part, has signalled openness to discussion, though he stopped short of endorsing any specific overhaul.

What happens next

FIFA's immediate priority is to stabilise its commercial pipeline. With the Forward Enterprise plan dead, officials are expected to revert to traditional bilateral negotiations with broadcasters, at least for the 2026 tournament.

Longer term, the focus will shift to governance. Whether Infantino survives this episode politically depends on how quickly he can rebuild trust among member associations and external stakeholders. The coming months will be telling.