FIFA主席詹尼·因凡蒂诺在一项争议性的世界杯私有化计划引发欧洲足联强烈反对后面临下台压力[1]。FIFA董事会于8月6日在拉巴特召开危机会议，随后重申对因凡蒂诺的"完全支持"，承认存在错误决定，并表示将"不再容忍任何对FIFA完整性的攻击"[1]。
争议的核心在于FIFA计划创建名为FIFA Forward Enterprise（FFE）的子公司来运营世界杯，向外部投资者提供最高20%的股份[1]。欧洲足联对此迅速做出反应，发表强烈谴责声明，并威胁抵制所有FIFA赛事，包括男女世界杯[1]。
因凡蒂诺于2016年2月当选FIFA主席[1]。在其任期内，世界杯规模实现扩大，2026年世界杯将由原来的32支球队、64场比赛扩至48支球队、104场比赛[1]。财务上，2022年FIFA收入达58亿美元，因凡蒂诺预计2026年收入将翻倍[1]。因凡蒂诺1970年3月23日出生于瑞士布里格，精通六种语言，曾于2009年担任欧洲足联秘书长[1]。尽管因凡蒂诺的多项决定引发信任危机，FIFA董事会此次的支持声明表明其在足球管理层内仍保有关键支持[1]。
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is under mounting pressure following a contentious proposal to privatize World Cup operations, which has triggered fierce opposition from UEFA.[1] The FIFA Board convened in Rabat on Wednesday in what was characterized as a crisis meeting, after which it reaffirmed its "full support" for Infantino and pledged to take measures to protect FIFA's reputation.[1]
The central controversy revolves around FIFA's plan to establish a subsidiary company called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to operate the World Cup, offering external investors up to 20 percent equity stakes.[1] UEFA responded within minutes with a forceful condemnation of the scheme, threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions, including both men's and women's World Cups.[1] The FIFA Board acknowledged that mistakes were made and stated it would "no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity."[1]
Infantino, born March 23, 1970, in Brig, Switzerland, to an Italian family and fluent in six languages, has led FIFA since his election in February 2016.[1] During his tenure, he has overseen significant expansion of the World Cup format—the 2026 tournament will feature 48 teams competing in 104 matches, compared to the previous format of 32 teams and 64 matches in Qatar.[1] He has also driven substantial revenue growth, with FIFA reporting $5.8 billion in income for 2022, and he projects revenues will double by 2026.[1] Prior to his FIFA presidency, Infantino served as UEFA Secretary General beginning in 2009, following his appointment to UEFA in 2000.[1]