Sports · October 15, 2026
Infantino apologises to Fifa Council - but told he's still not fit to lead
In October 2026, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the FIFA Council in Zurich to apologize for a lack of consultation regarding a $20 billion 'World Cup sell-off' plan (FIFA Forward Enterprise). Despite the apology, he faced severe criticism from European football leaders. The heads of the English and German Football Associations, Debbie Hewitt and Bernd Neuendorf, questioned Infantino's fitness to lead and called for governance reform. While Infantino retains strong support from Asian and African delegates, European leaders expressed confidence that a challenger would emerge for the March 2027 presidential election before the November 18 nomination deadline.
Read the original coverage
- Yahoo SportsSports network
Infantino apologises to Fifa Council - but told he is still not fit to lead
Read at Yahoo Sports ↗ - The GuardianMainstream
Apologetic Infantino ‘not fit’ to lead Fifa, claim European FA heads after meeting
Read at The Guardian ↗ - ESPNSports network
Infantino apologizes to FIFA Council, avoids key issues
Read at ESPN ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- Gianni Infantino apologized to the 37-member FIFA Council for failing to consult them on the abandoned $20 billion FFE project.
- English FA chair Debbie Hewitt and German FA president Bernd Neuendorf criticized Infantino's leadership fitness.
- A 30-minute presentation on FFE was given by a US law firm, but they left without answering questions.
- The FIFA Council approved a proposal to distribute $3.5 billion from financial reserves to national associations.
- Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa was appointed to lead a new committee for governance reform.
- Nominations for the FIFA presidential election close on November 18, with the election occurring in March.
Reported by only some outlets
- Concacaf President Victor Montagliani was reportedly critical of Infantino during the meeting.
- The Folarin Balogun affair involved lobbying by the US President to overturn a World Cup suspension.
- FIFA proposed amending disciplinary regulations to prevent straight red cards from being rescinded, which was deferred.
- Ahmed Yahya of the Mauritania Football Federation explicitly voiced support for Infantino to remain president.
Confirmed
- Infantino apologized for the lack of consultation on the FFE plan.
- The German and English FAs publicly questioned Infantino's leadership.
- A $3.5 billion reserve distribution was approved.
- The presidential nomination deadline is November 18.
Reported
- European leaders are increasingly confident a candidate will stand against Infantino. (The Guardian)
- Victor Montagliani was critical of Infantino during the closed session. (The Guardian)
Rumor
- Arsène Wenger or Michele Kang might run for the presidency. (Speculation dismissed by sources cited in The Guardian)
- A late declaration of a candidate is being planned to prevent FIFA from sabotaging the bid. (Senior figures at UEFA)
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