FIFA opens door to $20bn World Cup sell-off documents as UEFA presses Gianni Infantino for answers

FIFA will grant its council members access to key documents surrounding the abandoned $20 billion FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, as pressure mounts on president Gianni Infantino to explain the controversial plan and address growing calls for reforms within world football’s governing body.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom wrote to council members on Monday, inviting them to register their interest in examining the documents under specific conditions at the organisation’s headquarters in Zurich, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The development comes amid mounting scrutiny of FIFA’s leadership following the collapse of the proposed World Cup commercial sell-off, which was withdrawn just days after being made public earlier this summer.

The proposal triggered widespread backlash and raised questions about Infantino’s leadership, prompting several football federations to demand greater transparency and sweeping changes to FIFA’s decision-making processes.

The move to open the documents to council members also coincides with a deadline set by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), which has been seeking answers from FIFA over Infantino’s presidency and other contentious issues.

$20bn FIFA proposal sparks calls for transparency

The FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which was valued at $20 billion, was abandoned following intense criticism shortly after its public announcement.

Its collapse intensified concerns among several member associations about how major decisions are reached within the organisation and the level of transparency surrounding its commercial operations.

In response to the growing discontent, Infantino had previously proposed an independent review of FIFA’s decision-making processes.

However, the controversy has continued to generate pressure on the governing body, with federations pushing for meaningful reforms and greater accountability.

The latest invitation to council members provides an opportunity to examine documents relating to the failed initiative, although access will be restricted to members of the council and subject to specific conditions.

UEFA deadline puts Infantino under fresh pressure

The document access arrangement comes on the day UEFA’s November 2 deadline for FIFA to respond to more than 100 questions concerning Infantino’s presidency.

Last month, the European governing body formally wrote to FIFA seeking clarification on several matters, including the abandoned FFE proposal and the FIFA Peace Prize.

UEFA’s intervention reflects growing opposition among European football associations to Infantino’s leadership and their calls for institutional reforms.

However, FIFA considers the two-week response period insufficient, citing competing organisational responsibilities and ongoing legal considerations.

“FIFA viewed UEFA’s two-week deadline to respond to more than 100 questions as unfeasible, given their recent focus on organising a new youth World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan,” the person told Reuters.

“The organisation is also preparing for an extraordinary congress on 23 November to determine the hosts for the 2031 and 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cups. The ongoing legal action in the United States has also created legal boundaries.

“FIFA has maintained it would respond to Council members in due course, and the invitation to view key documents is only to Council members.”

The arrangement means the documents will not be made available to all FIFA member associations, with access limited to council members.

Infantino gains backing ahead of 2027 FIFA election

Despite the growing questions surrounding his leadership, Infantino’s prospects of securing another term have received a significant boost.

The head of Asian football endorsed the FIFA president for a fourth term a little over a week ago, strengthening his position ahead of the next presidential election and leaving European opposition increasingly isolated.

Infantino is expected to stand for re-election in March 2027, with prospective candidates facing a November 18 deadline to submit their nominations.

The election is expected to be a significant test of the opposition to his leadership, particularly as questions surrounding the abandoned $20 billion proposal and demands for institutional reforms remain unresolved.