Gianni Infantino faces FIFA crisis meeting in Morocco as pressure mounts over World Cup investment plans

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is set to hold a high-stakes crisis meeting with senior FIFA officials in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday, as growing opposition threatens his leadership of world football’s governing body.

The meeting was called after a turbulent week in which Infantino was forced to abandon a controversial proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new company that would have managed the commercial and operational rights of FIFA tournaments. The most contentious element of the plan involved selling a 20 percent stake in the World Cup business to private investors, a move that triggered widespread criticism across international football.

Infantino’s decision to withdraw the project has done little to calm the situation. Instead, it has intensified questions about his future, with several influential football figures openly challenging his authority.

Senior FIFA officials distance themselves

Among those who have publicly criticized the proposal is Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development. Wenger stated that he had not been involved in the project and described the decision to scrap it as “absolutely necessary and beyond question,” adding that FIFA must remain independent and committed to transparency and integrity.

FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström, the organization’s second most powerful official, also sent an unusually candid message to staff, describing recent events as a “sad and reproachable series of events.” He acknowledged that employees had been dragged into political turmoil and promised that the institution would endure beyond “individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes.”

The criticism follows the resignation of Infantino’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro, who reportedly labeled the FFE proposal a “bad deal for football.”

Accusations of blackmail deepen the crisis

The controversy escalated further when Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, president of the Jordan Football Association, accused FIFA of attempting to pressure Jordan into publicly supporting Infantino in exchange for assistance over financial matters.

In a statement posted on social media, Prince Ali claimed FIFA officials suggested that backing Infantino would help Jordan recover money allegedly owed to the federation. He rejected the alleged offer, calling it “blackmail” and saying Jordan would not support Infantino’s continued presidency.

The accusation is particularly significant because support from Asian football associations is widely viewed as crucial to Infantino’s political survival. While many federations in Africa, South America, and Oceania are believed to remain supportive, opposition has been growing across Europe and parts of North and Central America.

UEFA considers legal action

UEFA has emerged as one of Infantino’s strongest critics. European football’s governing body reportedly warned FIFA that it was actively considering legal action over the FFE proposal and has demanded that all documents related to the project be preserved.

Several national associations, including England and Wales, have already withdrawn their support for Infantino, while the Scottish Football Association is understood to be aligned with UEFA’s position. The possibility of a coordinated European challenge to Infantino’s leadership has increased speculation that Wednesday’s meeting could become a turning point in FIFA politics.

Calls for a new era at FIFA

Adding further pressure, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter publicly backed Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, as a potential successor to Infantino.

Blatter argued that “the time is right for a woman to take the lead” at FIFA and praised Klaveness for consistently taking principled positions on issues such as the 2022 Qatar World Cup and the awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.

Klaveness has become one of the most prominent reform voices in international football and was among the few federation leaders who declined to endorse Infantino’s expected re-election campaign for 2027.

With senior FIFA executives gathering in Morocco and political support appearing increasingly fragmented, the coming days may prove decisive for Infantino’s future. Whether he chooses to fight on or step aside, Wednesday’s crisis meeting is likely to shape the next chapter in the leadership of world football.