Gianni Infantino met with the FIFA Council on Thursday in Zurich, Switzerland, to address internal governance and commercial strategy. The session followed the president's earlier move to generate revenue by proposing the sale of commercial rights for FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, for a valuation of $4.2 billion. Gianni Infantino subsequently withdrew this specific proposal to sell World Cup rights in July 2026. Members of the FIFA Council requested further transparency regarding the organization's financial planning and decision-making processes following the withdrawal of the plan. The meeting concluded without a formal vote on alternative funding models for future tournament cycles.
Council Members Demand Accountability
The FIFA Council consists of 37 members who oversee the strategic direction of the organization. During the recent discussions in Zurich, concerns regarding leadership conduct emerged among the representatives. Debbie Hewitt, FIFA vice president and chair of the Football Association, addressed Gianni Infantino directly regarding his decision-making processes. "عليه أن يجيب عن تلك الأسئلة. وإذا لم يفعل، فهو بالتأكيد ليس مؤهلاً لشغل منصب رئيس فيفا," Hewitt stated.
Bernd Neuendorf, president of the German Football Association, echoed these calls for a shift in leadership standards. He emphasized the necessity of addressing the public perception of the governing body. "نحن بحاجة إلى شخص يتمتع بالنزاهة، شخص يمكنه استعادة سمعة الاتحاد الدولي، التي تضررت بلا شك," Neuendorf said. These statements from the 37-member council indicate a move toward more rigorous oversight of Gianni Infantino. The council members continue to seek clarity on governance protocols to ensure the integrity of FIFA operations remains a priority for the organization.
Proposed Financial Distribution Plan
FIFA discussed a plan to distribute approximately $6 billion to football associations between 2027 and 2030. This financial framework aims to reallocate funds across the organization's member bodies over the four-year period.
The proposed distribution plan would provide approximately $25 million to each association. This figure represents a significant increase when compared to the previous $1 million allocation per association. FIFA officials reviewed these figures during the session to determine the feasibility of the funding model for the upcoming cycle. No agreement was reached on the implementation of these payments, as council members requested additional documentation regarding the source of the capital. The proposal remains under review by the governing body as part of the broader inquiry into organizational transparency.