Europe, Asia and North America's football chiefs want Gianni Infantino out after a dropped plan to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments. Should he resign?

What happened

In July, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced FIFA Forward Enterprise, a plan to sell a minority stake in a FIFA commercial subsidiary holding tournament rights, including the World Cup, to private investors. A company launched by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, was named as the proposed lead investor, and the venture was valued at $20bn. FIFA dropped the plan within days after pushback. The presidents of UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF have since called on Infantino to resign, and the FIFA Council meets in Zurich on 15 October to review the plan, FIFA's governance and its finances.

Why people disagree

Critics say council members weren't told about the plan, that it undervalued FIFA's tournaments (this summer's World Cup alone brought in $15bn) and that associations were offered cash to back it. ESPN has also reported an undisclosed $1.72m payment to Infantino in 2024 from the World Cup's US company. His backers note the plan was dropped, FIFA says it meets all reporting rules, and many African, South American and Asian associations still support him, so the 2027 vote should decide.

What's still unclear

Whether any rival secures nomination by 18 November (ex-Switzerland defender Ramon Vega says he will stand but hasn't confirmed the five backers needed), and whether the council will actually curb Infantino's powers. Sources told Reuters that replacing him is unlikely.