FIFA drops World Cup investment plan after backlash, senior adviser quits

FIFA has withdrawn a controversial investment plan linked to the World Cup, following intense opposition from member confederations and the resignation of a senior adviser to President Gianni Infantino. The decision, announced on Friday, marks a significant reversal for FIFA's leadership as it prepares for a crucial leadership vote in March.

Kevin Lamour, FIFA's chief operating officer, told the organisation's administration that it had been "deceived" about the project, without providing further details. Carlos Cordeiro, who served as Infantino's senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned over the matter, calling the proposal "a bad deal for football" that would "mortgage football's future."

The plan had drawn sharp criticism from regional governing bodies. Concacaf, which oversees football in North and Central America and the Caribbean and hosted the recently concluded World Cup, stated its members "rejected" the proposal. Sources familiar with the matter said the vast majority of associations in the region have lost, or are losing, faith in Infantino's leadership.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also expressed solidarity with Uefa and Concacaf, signalling a broad front of opposition. Meanwhile, Andy Burnham, a British politician, publicly called Infantino "the wrong man" to lead FIFA, adding to the pressure on the president.

The withdrawal is a substantial blow to Infantino as he seeks re-election for a fourth term at the FIFA Congress in March. In a statement, the 56-year-old sought to emphasise unity and reconciliation. "Our purpose has always been - and will always be - to unite and improve," he said. "Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game."

AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa welcomed the decision to scrap the plan. "The future of global football must always be shaped through proper consultation, collective dialogue and respect for the established governance structures of our game," he said in a statement.

The episode underlines ongoing concerns about transparency and governance within FIFA, the world football's governing body, which has faced repeated calls for reform. The investment plan, whose specific details remain unclear, was reportedly designed to secure financial partnerships for the World Cup, but critics argued it would create unsustainable financial risks.

The coming weeks will be critical for Infantino, as he attempts to rebuild trust with confederations and secure the support needed for another term. The decision to withdraw the plan is seen as an acknowledgment of the widespread discontent, but it remains to be seen whether it will be sufficient to calm the growing rebellion within the sport's global governing body.