Infantino apologizes over World Cup sell-off plan as criticism persists

Summary

Fifa president Gianni Infantino apologized to the Fifa Council in Zurich on October 15 for failing to consult it about a proposed sale of stakes in Fifa competitions, but European football leaders remained unconvinced he was fit to continue leading the organization. The National reports that council members also questioned him about the $4.2 billion Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme, the reversal of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension and the Fifa Peace Prize awarded to Donald Trump. The Guardian reports that European leaders are increasingly confident they can find a candidate to challenge Infantino in next year’s presidential election, and said he failed to answer dozens of questions at the meeting.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   15 Oct 2026, 09:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Infantino apologized for not consulting the Fifa Council about the abandoned World Cup sell-off plan, but failed to answer dozens of questions and faced criticism from English and German football leaders over his fitness to govern.

2. The National

   15 Oct 2026, 17:33 UTCSource ↗

   The National reports that Infantino apologized to the Fifa Council in Zurich over the proposed sell-off, while facing questions about the $4.2 billion Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme, Folarin Balogun’s suspension and the Fifa Peace Prize awarded to Donald Trump.