Senior FIFA officials are gathering in Morocco on Wednesday for a high-level meeting chaired by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as the organization seeks to navigate one of the most challenging periods of his presidency.
The meeting, held at FIFA’s African office in Salé, comes just days after the governing body abandoned its proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project. The initiative aimed to create a new commercial entity and sell a 20% stake to private investors, a plan that quickly sparked widespread opposition across the football world.
Critics argued that the proposal risked handing private interests influence over revenues generated by the FIFA World Cup. The controversy intensified following reports that a company linked to the family of U.S. President Donald Trump had been involved in the project, prompting further scrutiny from football stakeholders.
European football leaders reacted strongly to the proposal. UEFA publicly opposed the plan, accusing FIFA’s leadership of compromising the sport’s long-term interests. Several European football associations have since withdrawn their backing for Infantino, casting uncertainty over what had appeared to be a comfortable path toward another presidential term.
The criticism has also extended inside FIFA. Reports indicate that Secretary General Mattias Grafström described the failed initiative as an unfortunate episode, while Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour reportedly suggested the project had not reflected a broader institutional consensus. FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, also distanced himself from the proposal, saying he had not participated in its development and supported its withdrawal. Former FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro has stepped down from his advisory role.
According to international media reports, Wednesday’s discussions in Salé are expected to focus on strengthening internal unity and reinforcing support ahead of the FIFA Congress scheduled for March 2027 in Morocco, where the organization’s next presidential election will take place.
Morocco has emerged as a key location during this period. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has publicly reaffirmed its support for Infantino, joining several African football leaders, although the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has not yet announced an official collective position.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are considering additional measures to increase pressure on FIFA’s leadership. While speculation has included the possibility of coordinated action if governance concerns remain unresolved, none of the confederations has officially confirmed such plans.
Despite the growing political tensions surrounding FIFA, no candidate has formally entered the race to challenge Infantino in the 2027 presidential election, leaving the leadership contest open as football’s governing body works to restore confidence among its members.
