FIFA president Gianni Infantino is holding a crisis meeting in Morocco on Wednesday with senior officials of the organization, following the collapse of a controversial plan to allow private investors to fund FIFA projects. The meeting comes amid intense criticism from within the football community and beyond.
The proposed plan, which was ultimately abandoned, would have permitted external investors to take stakes in FIFA's commercial operations, a move that many feared could compromise the governing body's independence and integrity. The backlash was swift, with several national associations and stakeholders voicing strong opposition.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the meeting in Morocco is intended to address the fallout and to reaffirm FIFA's commitment to transparency and good governance. Infantino is expected to brief the FIFA Council on the reasons for the plan's withdrawal and to outline next steps.
This is not the first time Infantino has faced criticism during his tenure, but the failed investment scheme marks a significant setback. The crisis meeting underscores the challenges facing FIFA as it navigates complex financial and governance issues in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
As of now, FIFA has not issued an official statement regarding the meeting's outcomes. The organization's leadership is under pressure to restore confidence among its members and the wider public.
