Infantino Apologizes to FIFA Council Over Unapproved World Cup Sell‑Off Proposal

FIFA President Gianni Infantino apologized to the organization’s board in Zurich for the communication and consultation failures surrounding his proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. The plan, which was never a binding deal, was intended to free up FIFA funds for investment in member associations rather than replace existing support. The proposal sparked immediate backlash from national football associations, EU Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef, and U. K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and led to calls for Infantino’s resignation. U. S. President Donald Trump defended him. FIFA Council Vice‑President Debbie Hewitt expressed disappointment that the documents detailing the plan had not been shared, leaving many questions unanswered. The meeting also addressed the suspension of a red‑card ban for U. S. player Folarin Balogun, with FIFA’s legal committee set to review disciplinary procedures and present findings at the next council meeting in December 2026.