Qatar FA calls for football unity after Infantino drops FIFA venture

The Qatar Football Association has welcomed Gianni Infantino’s decision to withdraw the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project, saying the move serves the interests of the global football community and helps preserve unity among FIFA’s national member associations.

Qatar FA president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani praised the FIFA president’s decision not to proceed with the proposal, describing it as a measure taken “in the general interest of the international football community”.

The association said it supported the judgement behind the withdrawal, despite believing some elements of the plan warranted further consideration.

“Although the proposal includes some ideas worthy of study, we commend the decision to make maintaining the unity of all national member associations an immediate priority at the present time, as well as the wisdom behind this decision,” the Qatar FA said in a statement.

It added: “The Qatar Football Association reaffirms its full support for President Infantino’s continuing efforts to develop and grow football around the world.”

Infantino’s proposal had faced mounting opposition because it envisaged the creation of a new company, FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would combine FIFA’s commercial activities with the organisation of its competitions.

The plan would also have allowed private-sector investors to acquire a stake in the company, a prospect that intensified concerns among several football governing bodies.

UEFA had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if Infantino continued with the project. Opposition was also reported from the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf, adding to pressure on the FIFA president.

The dispute led to the resignation of American Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino. Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s chief operating officer, also criticised the proposal.

Facing what the source described as an upheaval across the football world, Infantino eventually announced that the controversial project would be abandoned. The withdrawal, however, has not ended the wider dispute surrounding his leadership.

UEFA appears determined to remove Infantino from his position, while Concacaf has called for a “review of the FIFA presidency”.

The Qatar FA’s statement therefore offers public backing for Infantino at a time when opposition to his proposed commercial restructuring has spread across several confederations.

Its response focused on the importance of maintaining unity among FIFA’s national associations, while also acknowledging that parts of the plan could have merited examination. The association did not indicate that it supported the proposal continuing after the FIFA president decided not to take it forward.

Infantino’s withdrawal has eased the immediate pressure over FIFA Forward Enterprise, but the statements from UEFA and Concacaf suggest the controversy has developed into a broader challenge to the organisation’s leadership and direction.