FIFA president Gianni Infantino has apologised for errors in the development and communication of the withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.
Speaking at a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich on Thursday, October 15, Infantino confirmed that the initiative had been permanently abandoned and would not be brought back in any form.
FIFA Forward Enterprise was intended to increase investment in football, but the way it was prepared and presented led to months of criticism. Concerns focused on the levels of transparency surrounding the project and the extent of consultation carried out before it was proposed.
The FIFA Council was also given an update by external lawyers on the legal background to the initiative. FIFA said that information could not be made public because legal proceedings are continuing in the United States.
As part of its response, the Council agreed to create a working group made up of representatives from all six FIFA confederations. The group will examine FIFA’s governance framework amid wider questions over accountability and the organisation’s management of its resources.
The meeting also considered a proposed increase in funding for football development.
Infantino said the financial success of the 2026 World Cup created an opportunity for FIFA to put more money into the global game. He said the organisation’s resources, including its reserves, belonged to its 211 member associations and should be used in the best interests of football.
The governance review follows the criticism directed at the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and its handling. It will assess the framework through which decisions are made and resources are managed across the organisation.
The FIFA Council is due to meet again in December 2026.
