Gianni Infantino apologises over World Cup privatisation bid and secures internal backing

Gianni Infantino apologised to FIFA's 211 member associations on 6 August 2026, admitting to the “mistakes” in the handling of now-abandoned plans to privatise parts of the FIFA World Cup’s commercial rights during a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco. Infantino and FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom signed a letter to member associations in which they “sincerely apologised for the errors.”

The proposal sought to sell a 20% stake in a newly created commercial rights company to private investors and was valued at around $4.2 billion. FIFA said the deal would be used to aid the development of football worldwide. The plan attracted widespread criticism from leading figures and football associations, with UEFA announcing a boycott of the World Cup if the deal proceeded. The proposal was eventually withdrawn on Saturday. Infantino replaced Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.

Infantino has often been the subject of criticism from fans, including for his close relationship with US President Donald Trump, and the controversy has put his position under severe threat. UEFA and several European national associations, including the English FA, withdrew their letters of endorsement for his upcoming presidential elections. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Infantino’s bid to privatise the World Cup should be “fatal” for his position.

Despite intense external pressure, Infantino received public backing from FIFA officials after seven hours of crisis talks in Rabat. “Following a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA management board in attendance reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino,” a statement read. “In turn, the FIFA President reiterated his full support for the FIFA Secretary General and the FIFA administration for their necessary and outstanding work in the delivery of his vision.” FIFA also stated that Infantino was “the only official elected by the 211 FIFA member associations.”

FIFA acknowledged errors in how the World Cup proposal was communicated to member associations. Each nation was given just under a month to decide and was offered a £30.1 million incentive to support the proposal. “It was agreed that it was not the intention for the FIFA Council and FIFA member associations to feel excluded from the process and that the process should have been handled differently,” a statement read.

The global football body has ordered a full review of the proposal and its handling. The findings are set to be presented at the next FIFA Council meeting, which will be attended by 37 national representatives.