FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent external review of the organisation’s governance, following growing criticism over decision-making processes and the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.
In a letter to the FIFA Council and all 211 member associations, Infantino said the review could produce recommendations on possible reforms aimed at improving transparency, participation in decision-making and accountability within the world football governing body.
He also called for discussions on how FIFA’s governance structure could be improved, including the role of the FIFA president, greater involvement of member associations and stronger oversight of major projects.
The proposal comes after controversy surrounding FIFA Forward Enterprise, a plan announced in July that would have created a FIFA-controlled commercial subsidiary and allowed outside investors to acquire a minority interest in the business. FIFA had said the initiative was intended to generate additional resources for football development while FIFA retained control over football governance and sporting decisions.
The project was later abandoned following opposition from several football authorities. UEFA and CONCACAF subsequently called for greater scrutiny of FIFA’s finances and proposed that at least $10 million be made available to each of FIFA’s 211 member associations during the 2027-30 cycle. That would amount to about $2.1 billion.
Infantino defended the original FFE proposal, saying the organisation’s football governance and independence were not intended to be transferred to private investors. He argued that the main problem was that the proposal became public before sufficient consultation and planning had taken place, creating the impression that decisions had already been made.
FIFA has maintained that FFE was a proposal subject to consultation and approval by its member associations and the FIFA Council, rather than a completed transaction.
Although the FFE project will not proceed, Infantino said FIFA would continue looking for ways to strengthen its financial position and increase funding for its members.
Meanwhile, the proposed governance review is expected to be discussed at the next FIFA Council meeting in Zurich on October 15, 2026.
Infantino is expected to seek a fourth term as FIFA president in the election scheduled for March 2027. The governance debate is therefore taking place ahead of that election, although the proposed review concerns FIFA’s institutional structures more broadly.
KIGALI TIMES