FIFA has taken the unusual step of publicly acknowledging mistakes in the management of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project, an initiative that sought to transform part of the organization’s commercial model through the sale of a 20% stake in the commercial business linked to the FIFA World Cup, valued at approximately $20 billion. In a letter addressed to its 211 member associations, the governing body admitted that the process was not handled appropriately, apologized for the way the initiative was managed, and announced a review of its internal procedures to strengthen transparency and governance.
The acknowledgment comes after the proposal was withdrawn following widespread opposition from several of the world’s leading football confederations, including UEFA, Concacaf, and the AFC. Rather than focusing solely on the project’s failure, FIFA is now seeking to rebuild trust with its national associations by reaffirming the support of its governing board for President Gianni Infantino and committing to improve communication, decision-making, and the involvement of member associations in initiatives with significant implications for the organization’s future.
FIFA admits shortcomings in the project’s management and apologizes to member associations
The circular, signed by Secretary General Mattias Grafström, states that “mistakes were made” and that the organization “should have acted differently” during the development of FIFA Forward Enterprise. The governing body acknowledges that many member associations may have felt excluded from a process that directly affected one of the most valuable commercial assets in world football, a perception that ultimately weakened the political support required for the initiative to move forward.
Despite this self-criticism, FIFA insists that the project was carried out in full compliance with the organization’s regulatory framework. It emphasizes that the proposal has now been withdrawn and maintains that the experience will help improve its internal procedures. At the same time, FIFA warns that it will not tolerate attacks on its integrity, governance model, or institutional processes, reaffirming its determination to protect the organization’s reputation while reshaping the way it develops future strategic initiatives.
The meeting in Rabat marks the beginning of a governance review
The discussion surrounding the project took center stage during FIFA’s executive board meeting held in Rabat, Morocco, attended by Gianni Infantino, Mattias Grafström, and other members of the organization’s highest governing body. During the meeting, support for the president and the secretary general was reaffirmed, while it was also recognized that communication channels, institutional coordination, and interaction between the different levels of leadership must be strengthened to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.
As a result of the meeting, FIFA announced that it will conduct a comprehensive review of what happened with FIFA Forward Enterprise and present a report at the next session of its Council. At the same time, the governing body reiterated that it will continue working alongside its 211 member associations, continental confederations, and regional organizations to further develop football through the FIFA Forward Programme, at a particularly sensitive moment for the institution as it prepares for a new electoral cycle while seeking to reinforce the confidence of its key stakeholders.
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