Gianni Infantino has not lost control. He has simply been exposed in his nakedness
The FIFA president wanted to turn the World Cup into a financial asset, got entangled with UEFA and the associations, and was forced to retreat. However, his move was not unusual—it just clumsily exposed what the entire football world is already doing: selling more and more of the game in the name of growth and profit.
On Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino convened a meeting in Skhirat, near Rabat. Present in the room, besides him, were Secretary General Mattias Grafström and FIFA management. There were no representatives from the "FIFA Council" or the 211 member associations that elect the president.
The talks lasted about seven hours. Journalists were not allowed to enter, and were not given the opportunity to ask questions to the president, who avoids the media.
After the meeting, a letter was published informing the football world that FIFA management heard Infantino apologize and accepted the claim that the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative was handled in an "incorrect way." Infantino admitted that "mistakes were made in the process" and that "it should have been handled differently." Consequently, the management concluded, with "full support," that Infantino could remain in his position.
Who signed this letter of full support? Infantino, of course. And Secretary General Mattias Grafström, who, according to the letter, enjoys in return the full support of Infantino.
This touching support came after the most difficult week of Infantino's presidency. After his initiative failed, reports emerged that he had offered Morocco the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for support (which was strongly denied); Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein accused the organization of extortion; US host cities announced they were waiting for promised payments; European clubs demanded funds from the Club World Cup; and Luís Figo and various European government heads called for Infantino's removal.
Furthermore, Infantino sent "FIFA legends" to meetings with financial institutions, attempting to "dazzle bankers with celebrities." Apparently, this was one of the things that caused a commercial partner to consider going public with criticism before the plan was canceled.
FIFA's plan to sell a stake in the World Cup breathed its last this past Friday. The project's collapse is widely seen as a result of Infantino's hubris.
Infantino was supposed to reveal his intentions on the evening of the 2026 World Cup final but postponed the announcement due to demands from investors—associates of US President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, information leaked to his wealthy associates, leaving the FIFA president struggling to regain trust.
Also this week, we learned that UEFA is threatening legal action against FIFA. They wrote directly to Joshua Kushner, the American businessman behind the investment fund to which Infantino planned to sell rights, ordering him not to destroy documents related to the deal.
Infantino's presidency may be tested by Victor Montagliani, FIFA vice president, who is considering running against him in March. Although Infantino claims that over 200 countries have pledged to re-elect him, success is not guaranteed.
It is clear the matter exploded in Infantino's face. However, he is not prepared to resign. He gave up on becoming the "World Cup Commissioner," but not the presidency.
One can understand why Infantino insists this was not a mistake. It is a systemic problem. UEFA's opposition was never against private capital in football. UEFA manages UC3, a joint venture that put Champions League commercial rights up for tender. Clubs like PSG, Manchester City, or Newcastle United are owned by states or private funds. Clubs and leagues across Europe took the same loan Infantino wanted: cash now in exchange for future revenues.
UEFA, which shouted the loudest against "selling football," has spent years selling it to the same types Infantino approached. This is a system that wants to grow endlessly.
FIFA is no different from any other company. Capitalism encourages maximizing profits: expanding tournaments, wearing out players, and selling long-term revenues for immediate cash for functionaries. Some of them are suspected of corruption, money laundering, or even war crimes.
But Infantino did nothing wrong in today's business world. He was a good capitalist, trying to maximize his organization's resources. His only mistake was doing it sloppily, exposing the dark motivation: profit above everything. Even above life on this planet.
