Qatar backs Infantino after FIFA drops Forward Enterprise proposal

The Qatar Football Association has backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino after football’s world governing body decided not to proceed with its proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative.

Qatar said the decision was in the best interests of the international football community, while praising the priority given to preserving unity among FIFA’s national member associations.

FIFA withdrew from moving forward with the project, which had prompted opposition from several continental football bodies.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, president of the Qatar Football Association, said the proposal contained ideas that deserved consideration. However, he described the decision to put the unity of the international game first as a wise one.

He said maintaining the cohesion of the global football family was currently the most important priority, adding that the approach served the wider interests of the sport.

The Qatar Football Association concluded its statement by offering its full support to the efforts led by Infantino to develop and grow football around the world.

The decision comes after a series of public objections to FIFA Forward Enterprise from regional governing bodies.

UEFA had previously announced that its national teams would boycott FIFA competitions “as long as these proposals remained in place”. The European body’s position reflected its opposition to the continued existence of the initiative in its proposed form.

Concacaf also formally rejected the FIFA proposal, while the Asian Football Confederation announced that it opposed it as well.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), meanwhile, said it would hold an executive committee meeting to assess the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative.

Qatar’s statement therefore represents a clear endorsement of Infantino’s decision to step back from the project, despite its acknowledgement that some elements of the proposal could merit further examination.

The Qatar Football Association said the immediate need was to protect the unity of FIFA’s membership and the wider football community. Its support was also linked to Infantino’s broader work to develop the game internationally.

FIFA Forward Enterprise had become the subject of growing scrutiny after opposition from UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation. CAF was preparing to evaluate the initiative through its executive committee before FIFA announced it would not proceed.

The Qatar Football Association said the decision to withdraw from the proposal would help serve the general interest of football and preserve the cohesion of the sport’s governing structure.

Infantino remains the focus of Qatar’s public support, with the association praising both his leadership and the decision to prioritise unity among national associations at the current stage.