Overview
- FIFA’s FIFA Forward Enterprise plan to sell a minority stake in World Cup commercial rights was withdrawn in late July after internal secrecy and rushed timetables sparked wide criticism.
- Several national associations — including New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, England, and Wales — formally pulled their backing for Gianni Infantino, with New Zealand announcing its withdrawal on Friday and seeking an independent review.
- Three major confederations (UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC) publicly accused FIFA leadership of breaking trust while CAF and CONMEBOL continue to back Infantino, leaving global support sharply divided.
- Political allies such as President Donald Trump and Andrew Giuliani have defended Infantino, while European bodies and club groups have threatened boycotts or withheld participation in FIFA tournaments over governance concerns.
- Key observables now are formal independent reviews or arbitration filings, preservation letters and no‑confidence or extraordinary congress motions, plus whether any challenger files before the November 18, 2026 candidacy deadline that would change the March 2027 vote math.