FIFA: FIFA Forward Enterprise project abandoned, with governance implications

"The FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place. As a result, this proposal will not proceed," Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, announced on 1 August 2026. FFE was intended to be a commercial company open to private investors to manage FIFA’s commercial and event-related activities, including the World Cup.

"Going forward, my intention is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of our game’s shared interests, with the objective of continuing to grow football everywhere, particularly in those countries that most need our support," Gianni Infantino added.

According to the letter sent by FIFA, the international body's 211 member associations were due to vote on the FFE proposal by 19 September 2026. The initiative required the support of a majority of votes (at least 106 of FIFA’s 211 member associations), as well as approval from the FIFA Council, in order to be launched in 2027.

UEFA (55 member…