Infantino summons executive meeting in Rabat amid backlash over commercial plan

Gianni Infantino summoned senior Fifa leaders to an executive meeting in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday, 4 August 2026, after mounting criticism of his proposal to sell Fifa's commercial and event operations.

Several senior figures within Fifa publicly distanced themselves from the scheme, with Arsène Wenger, Mattias Grafström and Prince Ali expressing opposition to what has been called the Fifa Forward Enterprise. Wenger, Fifa's chief of global football development since 2019, and Grafström, who was elevated to secretary general in 2024, each issued statements condemning the process, while Prince Ali, president of the Jordan Football Association, made separate allegations about withheld funds linked to the Fifa Arab Cup in December.

Infantino, who has been in Morocco over the past week, convened the executive meeting in Rabat as he seeks to resolve the controversy arising from the investment plan. Carlos Cordeiro, described as Infantino's senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned over the proposal and said it was "a bad deal for football" that would "mortgage football's future".

Wenger said in a Fifa-issued statement that "The recent events at Fifa deserve some clarity from my side" and that "I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports." He added that "The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent Fifa that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity."

Grafström addressed Fifa staff in an internal memo, calling the episode "A sad and reproachable series of events - which were thankfully concluded with the project permanently abandoned - for as much as we feel dismayed by them, should not overshadow this reality." He urged colleagues to "remain focused on what has always united us: serving football and serving our 211 member associations, hand in hand with all relevant stakeholders and in full compliance with the Fifa statutes and Fifa regulations" and reassured staff that "You do not need to worry."

Prince Ali accused Fifa of using financial leverage to seek endorsements for Infantino's re-election and detailed delays in payments to Jordan's players following the Arab Cup. He wrote: "It is clear the problem really is with leadership" and added, "For months, Fifa has been refusing to help us - until it was verbally communicated to me during the World Cup that if I endorsed Infantino it would go a long way to helping our FA out." He concluded his post by saying, "But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that."

Wenger is among 18 Fifa officials named in a document preservation letter that Uefa sent to Fifa threatening legal action, and Fifa has been approached for comment. The executive meeting in Rabat on Wednesday represents Infantino's immediate response as he and senior colleagues address the fallout from the abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise.