Infantino apologises for World Cup selloff in 'no holds barred' FIFA session

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FT Desk

Gianni Infantino has apologised for his role in the World Cup sell-off plan but has still faced criticism after failing to answer certain questions on the topic.

On Thursday, the FIFA Council met in Zurich for the first time since the president's secret FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal emerged.

The proposals would have seen private investment firms gain equity in the World Cup and that would have granted them a say in where and when the tournament would be held moving forward. UEFA accused Infantino of trying to sell the soul of football, while the Italian saw support from various confederations and countries withdrawn for his actions.

FIFA members and UEFA previously demanded that all documentation from the FFE plans be presented for examination, but it has not been released yet.

NEW | “We didn’t get answers to anything we had specifically requested…”

FA chair Debbie Hewitt says FIFA president Gianni Infantino failed to provide clarity over World Cup sell-off plot at Council meeting, but “apologised for what had happened…”

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— Dan Roan (@danroan) October 15, 2026

Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt said following the three-and-a-half-hour session that many questions remained unanswered about FFE, as well as Infantino's part in the Folarin Balogun saga and his decision to award Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.

"One of the disappointing things is that we didn't get answers to anything that we had specifically requested - for example getting the papers from FFE," Hewitt said, a FIFA vice-president, said, as quoted by BBC Sport.

"I asked the question 'why not?' - and we were asked to submit those questions in writing.

"I think the man has to answer those questions and if he doesn't answer those questions now, he's not fit to be FIFA president - and that was what was shared in the meeting."

Hewitt acknowledged there had been "some contrition" in an Infantino apology over the FFE plans.

"Then there were no holds barred in terms of what we felt about what had happened," she added.

"What he really apologised for was not bringing it to the council. If you regret it that deeply, share it with us."

UEFA are pressing hard for Infantino to be removed as FIFA President, while the man himself has announced an intention to run again in 2027.

The deadline for any new candidates to come forward is 18 November.

"From my position, nothing has shifted. I've no new information that makes me feel any differently, other than we do have a president who is apologetic." Hewitt said when asked about UEFA's current stance.

She believes it is vital that new candidates emerge so that Infantino's policies can be challenged.

"I think it's important to Gianni to have somebody who stands with a different manifesto, and good for FIFA to have that choice," Hewitt added.

"We're in a democracy here. We must remember there are 211 associations and it's really important that all 211 associations have opportunity to vote according to how they feel."