London (AFP) – Former Real Madrid and Barcelona star Luis Figo has called for "deceitful" Gianni Infantino to quit as pressure mounts on the under-fire FIFA president.
Issued on: 05/08/2026 - RFI
FIFA president Gianni Infantino (L) and Luis Figo (R) © VALERIANO DI DOMENICO / AFP
Infantino is fighting to save his job after a fierce backlash against his plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup.
The 56-year-old wanted to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors through his FIFA Forward Enterprise.
The plan sparked a cascade of criticism for Infantino and has been rejected by three continental confederations, forcing the FIFA chief to ditch his divisive idea.
In a bid to win back support after his divisive plot, Infantino held emergency talks with other FIFA directors in Morocco on Wednesday, a source told AFP.
But former Portugal forward Figo heaped pressure on Infantino as he blasted the plan and demanded his resignation.
"I could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go," Figo wrote in the Daily Mail on Wednesday.
"I have loved football all my life. I was a professional player for 20 years. And believe me, I have met some rogues in my time in the game.
"But what I have seen exposed in the last 10 days is the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed.
"The man who would do that -– the man who would try to force through such major changes just to enrich himself and his friends -– is a relic of the game's past and should have no part in its future."
Infantino had defended his proposal by claiming it would increase revenue for all FIFA member nations.
But his attempt to rush through the deal without consulting Football Associations across the world, along with concerns about potentially playing an increased World Cup every two years instead of every four, sparked a furious backlash.
Several senior FIFA officials -- including former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger -- have lambasted Infantino's behaviour.
Figo, who pulled out of the race to become FIFA president in 2015, wants Infantino to step down immediately rather than wait for his attempt to be re-elected next year.
"Infantino has debased the office of FIFA president that he promised to elevate," said Figo, who won a host of trophies in his glittering playing career.
"He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve."
The 53-year-old added: "He has lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers, the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport and even, it would seem, the FIFA Peace Prize winner (US president Donald Trump).
"It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now."
© 2026 AFP
Infantino and the failed deal affair -- What they said
Paris (France) (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino probably hoped things would return to business as usual after shelving his much-criticised plan to allow private investment in the World Cup -- it has been quite the reverse.
Issued on: 05/08/2026 - RFI
Infantino is fighting to save his job after a fierce backlash against his plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup.
The 56-year-old wanted to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors through his FIFA Forward Enterprise.
The plan sparked a cascade of criticism for Infantino and has been rejected by three continental confederations, forcing the FIFA chief to ditch his divisive idea.
In a bid to win back support after his divisive plot, Infantino held emergency talks with other FIFA directors in Morocco on Wednesday, a source told AFP.
But former Portugal forward Figo heaped pressure on Infantino as he blasted the plan and demanded his resignation.
"I could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go," Figo wrote in the Daily Mail on Wednesday.
"I have loved football all my life. I was a professional player for 20 years. And believe me, I have met some rogues in my time in the game.
"But what I have seen exposed in the last 10 days is the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed.
"The man who would do that -– the man who would try to force through such major changes just to enrich himself and his friends -– is a relic of the game's past and should have no part in its future."
Infantino had defended his proposal by claiming it would increase revenue for all FIFA member nations.
But his attempt to rush through the deal without consulting Football Associations across the world, along with concerns about potentially playing an increased World Cup every two years instead of every four, sparked a furious backlash.
Several senior FIFA officials -- including former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger -- have lambasted Infantino's behaviour.
Figo, who pulled out of the race to become FIFA president in 2015, wants Infantino to step down immediately rather than wait for his attempt to be re-elected next year.
"Infantino has debased the office of FIFA president that he promised to elevate," said Figo, who won a host of trophies in his glittering playing career.
"He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve."
The 53-year-old added: "He has lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers, the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport and even, it would seem, the FIFA Peace Prize winner (US president Donald Trump).
"It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now."
© 2026 AFP
Infantino and the failed deal affair -- What they said
Paris (France) (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino probably hoped things would return to business as usual after shelving his much-criticised plan to allow private investment in the World Cup -- it has been quite the reverse.
Issued on: 05/08/2026 - RFI
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is battling to regain the initiative after scathing criticism even after shelving his toxic private investment plan © JUNG YEON-JE / AFP
The 56-year-old Swiss lawyer's future hangs in the balance, after having previously looked assured with him a shoo-in to be re-elected unopposed for a fourth and final term next March.
AFP Sport highlights the pick of the reaction since Infantino's humiliating climbdown last Saturday:
Infantino
"Our purpose has always been -- and will always be -- to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed."
The critics
The 56-year-old Swiss lawyer's future hangs in the balance, after having previously looked assured with him a shoo-in to be re-elected unopposed for a fourth and final term next March.
AFP Sport highlights the pick of the reaction since Infantino's humiliating climbdown last Saturday:
Infantino
"Our purpose has always been -- and will always be -- to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed."
The critics
UEFA has not let up in its criticism of Infantino © Silas STEIN / AFP
"The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA's confidence but also that of many other members of the football family."
-- UEFA welcomed the withdrawal but in a letter sent last Friday by its lawyer in the US said it was considering legal action.
"The shabby, back room, opaque deal he hatched and tried to force through were anything but transparent."
-- UEFA does not mince its words in its appraisal of the plan and adds it contradicts exactly what Infantino promised back in 2016 when he first sought election -- transparency.
"This recent unilateral and egregious act of poor governance and leadership follows a pattern of missteps and similar behaviour."
-- North and Central American football's governing body CONCACAF -- which includes the three co-hosts of this year's World Cup, Canada, Mexico and the US -- does not hold back either in a broadside aimed at Infantino.
"A comprehensive reckoning with this presidency is imperative."
-- CONCACAF throws down the gauntlet, its president Victor Montagliani is widely-cited as the favoured candidate to oppose Infantino.
"The future of global football must always be shaped through proper consultation, collective dialogue and respect for the established governance structures of our game."
-- Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) who finished runner-up to Infantino in the 2016 election.
"Together with UEFA and other confederations, we must ensure that a fundamentally different culture takes hold at FIFA —- a culture where, above all, decisions are once again discussed and made by members within the governing bodies."
-- The German Football Federation (DFB).
"It is time for a full and robust review of FIFA's leadership and governance to ensure that the global game is run transparently, for the benefit of all 211 member nations and with the long-term stewardship of football at its heart."
-- England's Football Association (FA).
"The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA's confidence but also that of many other members of the football family."
-- UEFA welcomed the withdrawal but in a letter sent last Friday by its lawyer in the US said it was considering legal action.
"The shabby, back room, opaque deal he hatched and tried to force through were anything but transparent."
-- UEFA does not mince its words in its appraisal of the plan and adds it contradicts exactly what Infantino promised back in 2016 when he first sought election -- transparency.
"This recent unilateral and egregious act of poor governance and leadership follows a pattern of missteps and similar behaviour."
-- North and Central American football's governing body CONCACAF -- which includes the three co-hosts of this year's World Cup, Canada, Mexico and the US -- does not hold back either in a broadside aimed at Infantino.
"A comprehensive reckoning with this presidency is imperative."
-- CONCACAF throws down the gauntlet, its president Victor Montagliani is widely-cited as the favoured candidate to oppose Infantino.
"The future of global football must always be shaped through proper consultation, collective dialogue and respect for the established governance structures of our game."
-- Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) who finished runner-up to Infantino in the 2016 election.
"Together with UEFA and other confederations, we must ensure that a fundamentally different culture takes hold at FIFA —- a culture where, above all, decisions are once again discussed and made by members within the governing bodies."
-- The German Football Federation (DFB).
"It is time for a full and robust review of FIFA's leadership and governance to ensure that the global game is run transparently, for the benefit of all 211 member nations and with the long-term stewardship of football at its heart."
-- England's Football Association (FA).
Jordan's football chief Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein accused FIFA of blackmail in their efforts to get him to endorse Infantino's bid for re-election © Ahmad ALAMEEN / AFP
"We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now. But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that."
-- Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, president of the Jordanian Football Association and who ran against Infantino in 2016, accuses FIFA of withholding money owed unless he supported Infantino in his re-election bid.
"Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept."
-- The Welsh FA (FAW) officially withdraws its support for Infantino -- Joined publicly at least by Sweden, Serbia and Finland.
FIFA insiders
"We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now. But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that."
-- Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, president of the Jordanian Football Association and who ran against Infantino in 2016, accuses FIFA of withholding money owed unless he supported Infantino in his re-election bid.
"Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept."
-- The Welsh FA (FAW) officially withdraws its support for Infantino -- Joined publicly at least by Sweden, Serbia and Finland.
FIFA insiders
FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger (L) said he had learned of the proposal through the media © Odd ANDERSEN / AFP
"I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports."
-- Legendary former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, appointed in 2019 by Infantino as Chief of Global Football Development. Despite his denial he is among those individuals, listed in UEFA's lawyer's letter, instructed to keep all 'Relevant Materials' pertinent to the plan.
"The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question."
-- Wenger breaks his silence after a week. Previously he had been a supporter of another dashed dream of Infantino's -- a World Cup every two years.
"Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue."
-- FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom's message to staff in a bid to rebuild morale. He too is in the list of people cited by UEFA's lawyer that should keep all relevant documents pertaining to the plan.
Supporters
"I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports."
-- Legendary former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, appointed in 2019 by Infantino as Chief of Global Football Development. Despite his denial he is among those individuals, listed in UEFA's lawyer's letter, instructed to keep all 'Relevant Materials' pertinent to the plan.
"The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question."
-- Wenger breaks his silence after a week. Previously he had been a supporter of another dashed dream of Infantino's -- a World Cup every two years.
"Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue."
-- FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom's message to staff in a bid to rebuild morale. He too is in the list of people cited by UEFA's lawyer that should keep all relevant documents pertaining to the plan.
Supporters
Gianni Infantino (R) received the unconditional support of the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation Fouzi Lekjaa (L) © CARL DE SOUZA / AFP
"The FIFA president's decision was wise as it prioritises the unity and cohesion of all the member associations of FIFA for all the initiatives of developing football."
-- Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan football federation (FRMF), who added Infantino had his full backing.
"We welcome FIFA President Gianni Infantino's decision to withdraw the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal in the interest of the global football community.
"While the proposal had merit, we applaud the wisdom behind prioritising unity among Member Associations.
"The Qatar Football Association fully supports President Infantino's efforts to continue growing and strengthening the game globally."
-- 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar are firmly behind Infantino.
© 2026 AFP
"The FIFA president's decision was wise as it prioritises the unity and cohesion of all the member associations of FIFA for all the initiatives of developing football."
-- Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan football federation (FRMF), who added Infantino had his full backing.
"We welcome FIFA President Gianni Infantino's decision to withdraw the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal in the interest of the global football community.
"While the proposal had merit, we applaud the wisdom behind prioritising unity among Member Associations.
"The Qatar Football Association fully supports President Infantino's efforts to continue growing and strengthening the game globally."
-- 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar are firmly behind Infantino.
© 2026 AFP
Infantino's problems mount as Wenger and key FIFA ally turn on him
Paris (France) (AFP) – Pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino intensified on Tuesday, with opposition emerging from within world football's governing body as well as from external critics over his since-abandoned proposal to open the World Cup to private investment.
Issued 05/08/2026 - RFI
'Take immediate steps'
UEFA issued a letter through their lawyers in the US threatening legal action over what they had scathingly described as a "shabby, backroom, opaque deal", despite it being shelved.
Top FIFA executive Wenger condemns move to reform World Cup business plan
Former Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger on Tuesday became the latest top executive at world football's governing body Fifa to distance himself from the failed plan of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors.
Issued on: 04/08/2026 - RFI
Concern over proposals and secrecy
Football governing bodies from across the world raised concerns over the plan. They were also angry at being kept in the dark while the proposals were being thrashed out.
Uefa, which represents 55 national football associations in Europe, reportedly threatened to boycott future Fifa competitions if Infantino continued with the plan.
Despite the mounting criticism, Fifa initially defended the project and blamed media reports for misrepresenting it.
“Nobody is selling football,” Fifa said in a statement. “This is not something Fifa would ever entertain.
“We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation.”
France and England bosses say squads will take World Cup play-off seriously.
However, Infantino announced on Saturday that the proposal was being withdrawn.
“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place,” he said.
“Our purpose has always been, and will always be, to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed.”
But the withdrawal has failed to end the criticism. Wenger has become the latest senior Fifa figure to question how the project was handled.
Senior officials break ranks
Infantino’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned last Friday over the proposals.
Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker who represented Fifa on the White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup, said: “I cannot stand by while Fifa considers selling a stake in the World Cup.”
Fifa chief operating officer Kevin Lamour also issued a statement to the Associated Press on Friday, saying staff had been misled by the lack of openness surrounding the project and that it should not continue.
“It is the project of one person,” said Lamour, who has worked with Infantino at both Fifa and Uefa.
On Monday, the AFP news agency said it had seen an internal email to Fifa staff in which secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom described the emergence of the reform "as a sad and reproachable series of events".
He added: "Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue."
Uefa issues legal warning
The Associated Press reported on Monday that it had seen a letter sent by the New York law firm Dechert on behalf of Uefa.
The letter named 18 Fifa executives, including Wenger and chief financial officer Thomas Peyer, and instructed them to preserve data, documents and electronic communications that could become evidence in potential legal proceedings.
“Uefa puts you on formal notice that any destruction, deletion, alteration, concealment or loss of relevant materials following receipt of this notice – or following any earlier date on which you were, or reasonably should have been, aware that proceedings were anticipated – may constitute spoliation of evidence,” the letter said.
Paris (France) (AFP) – Pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino intensified on Tuesday, with opposition emerging from within world football's governing body as well as from external critics over his since-abandoned proposal to open the World Cup to private investment.
Issued 05/08/2026 - RFI
Gianni Infantino has been heavily criticised by former FIFA allies Arsene Wenger (4L) and secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom (2R) © Paul ELLIS / AFP
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, appointed in 2019 by Infantino as FIFA's chief of global football development, said in a statement that "the decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question".
His remarks followed hot on the heels of an extraordinary internal email to FIFA staff, seen by AFP, in which secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom appeared to distance himself from Infantino on the issue.
Previously seen as close to Infantino, Grafstrom describes the fiasco surrounding the plan as "a sad and reproachable series of events".
He adds: "Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue."
FIFA had floated the plan last Tuesday, saying it could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for a new commercial subsidiary, called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which it proposed would run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.
By Saturday, it was dead in the water as Infantino announced the humiliating climbdown after widespread condemnation, as UEFA wielded the nuclear option of boycotting all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
Far from calming the waters or shoring up his presidency, Infantino has been swamped with criticism of his style of leadership and a previously smooth path to being re-elected unopposed to a fourth and final term next March in Rabat now looks a very rocky one indeed.
He has reportedly summoned FIFA staff to a crisis meeting in the Moroccan capital as he attempts to cling onto power.
Several of UEFA's member associations -- Wales, Finland, Sweden and Serbia -- have withdrawn their letters of support for Infantino and the English FA is strongly rumoured to be on the verge of also joining them.
Jordanian FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein, twice a FIFA presidential candidate, accused FIFA of "blackmail" in a remarkable statement.
Prince Ali said he was told verbally that endorsing Infantino for re-election "could go a long way to helping our FA out".
The federation had complained about not being paid for Jordan's run to last year's FIFA Arab Cup final, and about its team's fans not being given visas to watch their World Cup debut in the United States.
The Athletic also reported Tuesday that the 11 World Cup host cities in the United States are chasing up legacy payments of $1 million each which were "repeatedly" promised to them by FIFA.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, appointed in 2019 by Infantino as FIFA's chief of global football development, said in a statement that "the decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question".
His remarks followed hot on the heels of an extraordinary internal email to FIFA staff, seen by AFP, in which secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom appeared to distance himself from Infantino on the issue.
Previously seen as close to Infantino, Grafstrom describes the fiasco surrounding the plan as "a sad and reproachable series of events".
He adds: "Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue."
FIFA had floated the plan last Tuesday, saying it could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for a new commercial subsidiary, called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which it proposed would run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.
By Saturday, it was dead in the water as Infantino announced the humiliating climbdown after widespread condemnation, as UEFA wielded the nuclear option of boycotting all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
Far from calming the waters or shoring up his presidency, Infantino has been swamped with criticism of his style of leadership and a previously smooth path to being re-elected unopposed to a fourth and final term next March in Rabat now looks a very rocky one indeed.
He has reportedly summoned FIFA staff to a crisis meeting in the Moroccan capital as he attempts to cling onto power.
Several of UEFA's member associations -- Wales, Finland, Sweden and Serbia -- have withdrawn their letters of support for Infantino and the English FA is strongly rumoured to be on the verge of also joining them.
Jordanian FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein, twice a FIFA presidential candidate, accused FIFA of "blackmail" in a remarkable statement.
Prince Ali said he was told verbally that endorsing Infantino for re-election "could go a long way to helping our FA out".
The federation had complained about not being paid for Jordan's run to last year's FIFA Arab Cup final, and about its team's fans not being given visas to watch their World Cup debut in the United States.
The Athletic also reported Tuesday that the 11 World Cup host cities in the United States are chasing up legacy payments of $1 million each which were "repeatedly" promised to them by FIFA.
'Take immediate steps'
UEFA issued a letter through their lawyers in the US threatening legal action over what they had scathingly described as a "shabby, backroom, opaque deal", despite it being shelved.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) faces mounting problems after UEFA threatened legal action over his shelved plan © FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Both Grafstrom and Wenger as well as chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who had slammed the plan on Friday, are mentioned in the letter as being knowledgeable about the FFE and instructed to keep all "relevant materials".
"Dear Mr Infantino. UEFA hereby gives formal notice that it is actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints (together, the 'Proceedings') arising out of and in connection with the FFE plan proposed by FIFA and all related matters as further described below," their lawyer Andrew Levander said in the letter sent last Friday and seen by AFP.
The scant comfort for Infantino came from a handful of supporters, including 2030 World Cup co-hosts Morocco, as well as Kuwait, Qatar, where he has a house, and Lebanon, which granted him honorary citizenship in February.
However, it is the damning remarks by both Wenger and Grafstrom -- who shadowed Infantino throughout the World Cup -- that will twist the knife further.
Their criticism only adds to the impression that Infantino has lost the confidence of even his closest FIFA collaborators.
One of the most devastating blows to Infantino's plan was the resignation on Friday of his special advisor Carlos Cordeiro, who is also close to US President Donald Trump.
Despite what UEFA's lawyer wrote regarding keeping material pertinent to FFE, Wenger claims to have only learned about it through the media.
"I was not involved in this strategic plan," the 76-year-old Frenchman said.
Grafstrom, for his part, tried to cheer up the staff by congratulating them on their work while admitting it had been "an extraordinary and challenging week".
For Infantino, the challenge threatens to grow, and his stated purpose when he ditched the plan, to unite football, seems unlikely to be realised while he remains president.
© 2026 AFP
Both Grafstrom and Wenger as well as chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who had slammed the plan on Friday, are mentioned in the letter as being knowledgeable about the FFE and instructed to keep all "relevant materials".
"Dear Mr Infantino. UEFA hereby gives formal notice that it is actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints (together, the 'Proceedings') arising out of and in connection with the FFE plan proposed by FIFA and all related matters as further described below," their lawyer Andrew Levander said in the letter sent last Friday and seen by AFP.
The scant comfort for Infantino came from a handful of supporters, including 2030 World Cup co-hosts Morocco, as well as Kuwait, Qatar, where he has a house, and Lebanon, which granted him honorary citizenship in February.
However, it is the damning remarks by both Wenger and Grafstrom -- who shadowed Infantino throughout the World Cup -- that will twist the knife further.
Their criticism only adds to the impression that Infantino has lost the confidence of even his closest FIFA collaborators.
One of the most devastating blows to Infantino's plan was the resignation on Friday of his special advisor Carlos Cordeiro, who is also close to US President Donald Trump.
Despite what UEFA's lawyer wrote regarding keeping material pertinent to FFE, Wenger claims to have only learned about it through the media.
"I was not involved in this strategic plan," the 76-year-old Frenchman said.
Grafstrom, for his part, tried to cheer up the staff by congratulating them on their work while admitting it had been "an extraordinary and challenging week".
For Infantino, the challenge threatens to grow, and his stated purpose when he ditched the plan, to unite football, seems unlikely to be realised while he remains president.
© 2026 AFP
Top FIFA executive Wenger condemns move to reform World Cup business plan
Former Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger on Tuesday became the latest top executive at world football's governing body Fifa to distance himself from the failed plan of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors.
Issued on: 04/08/2026 - RFI
Fifa's head of global development Arsene Wenger (centre) attended the England v Argentina semi-final at the 2026 World Cup with Fifa boss Gianni Infantino (right) and the president of the Argentina Football Association Claudio Tapia (left). REUTERS - Paul Childs
By:Paul Myers
Infantino hired Wenger in 2019 as Fifa's head of global football development and over the past seven years, the Frenchman has masterminded Fifa's quest to make sure talented players around the world are spotted and developed.
But the 76-year-old, who transformed the culture and playing style of top flight football in England in the late 1990s and early 2000s, criticised the proposals to reform the commercial side of Fifa competitions without explicitly naming Infantino.
“I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports,” said Wenger.
“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.”
Plan to reform FIFA competitions
Last Tuesday, it emerged that an Infantino-championed initiative wanted the creation of a subsidiary – known as Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) – to run the money-making parts of Fifa operations such as the men's and women's World Cups as well as the Club World Cup.
The plan sought to raise just under €4 billion from investors by selling a stake of about 20 percent in FFE, based on a reported equity valuation of €17 billion.
The proposed “anchor investor” was Thrive Eternal, an investment company launched by Joshua Kushner. His brother Jared is married to the daughter of US President Donald Trump.
Infantino hired Wenger in 2019 as Fifa's head of global football development and over the past seven years, the Frenchman has masterminded Fifa's quest to make sure talented players around the world are spotted and developed.
But the 76-year-old, who transformed the culture and playing style of top flight football in England in the late 1990s and early 2000s, criticised the proposals to reform the commercial side of Fifa competitions without explicitly naming Infantino.
“I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports,” said Wenger.
“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.”
Plan to reform FIFA competitions
Last Tuesday, it emerged that an Infantino-championed initiative wanted the creation of a subsidiary – known as Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) – to run the money-making parts of Fifa operations such as the men's and women's World Cups as well as the Club World Cup.
The plan sought to raise just under €4 billion from investors by selling a stake of about 20 percent in FFE, based on a reported equity valuation of €17 billion.
The proposed “anchor investor” was Thrive Eternal, an investment company launched by Joshua Kushner. His brother Jared is married to the daughter of US President Donald Trump.
Concern over proposals and secrecy
Football governing bodies from across the world raised concerns over the plan. They were also angry at being kept in the dark while the proposals were being thrashed out.
Uefa, which represents 55 national football associations in Europe, reportedly threatened to boycott future Fifa competitions if Infantino continued with the plan.
Despite the mounting criticism, Fifa initially defended the project and blamed media reports for misrepresenting it.
“Nobody is selling football,” Fifa said in a statement. “This is not something Fifa would ever entertain.
“We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation.”
France and England bosses say squads will take World Cup play-off seriously.
However, Infantino announced on Saturday that the proposal was being withdrawn.
“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place,” he said.
“Our purpose has always been, and will always be, to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed.”
But the withdrawal has failed to end the criticism. Wenger has become the latest senior Fifa figure to question how the project was handled.
Senior officials break ranks
Infantino’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned last Friday over the proposals.
Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker who represented Fifa on the White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup, said: “I cannot stand by while Fifa considers selling a stake in the World Cup.”
Fifa chief operating officer Kevin Lamour also issued a statement to the Associated Press on Friday, saying staff had been misled by the lack of openness surrounding the project and that it should not continue.
“It is the project of one person,” said Lamour, who has worked with Infantino at both Fifa and Uefa.
On Monday, the AFP news agency said it had seen an internal email to Fifa staff in which secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom described the emergence of the reform "as a sad and reproachable series of events".
He added: "Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue."
Uefa issues legal warning
The Associated Press reported on Monday that it had seen a letter sent by the New York law firm Dechert on behalf of Uefa.
The letter named 18 Fifa executives, including Wenger and chief financial officer Thomas Peyer, and instructed them to preserve data, documents and electronic communications that could become evidence in potential legal proceedings.
“Uefa puts you on formal notice that any destruction, deletion, alteration, concealment or loss of relevant materials following receipt of this notice – or following any earlier date on which you were, or reasonably should have been, aware that proceedings were anticipated – may constitute spoliation of evidence,” the letter said.
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