FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed commissioning an independent review of the organization’s governance framework following the withdrawal of a contested investment plan aimed at raising funds for football development. In a letter addressed to the FIFA Council and the presidents of all 211 member associations, Infantino outlined his intention to seek an external assessment of how major strategic decisions are made within the world football governing body, with the goal of identifying potential improvements in transparency and accountability.

The proposal comes after Infantino faced significant opposition over his controversial plan to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA’s commercial rights, including those related to the World Cup, to private investors. The initiative was abandoned in July amid widespread criticism and boycott threats, notably from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and Concacaf, who subsequently called for reforms to FIFA’s leadership and decision-making processes.

Infantino’s letter acknowledges that the investment plan had raised concerns because details were released before it could be fully presented to the FIFA Council and member associations. He emphasized that the idea remained a proposal and that no decisions had been finalized. The plan aimed to generate additional revenue for football development without transferring control over sporting matters, he said.

Acknowledging diverse views within the organization, Infantino noted differing opinions about who should have authority over major strategic initiatives, with some stakeholders advocating for unanimous agreement within the Bureau and others preferring that such decisions be made by Congress and the broader membership. He stated that his role is to facilitate an open discussion rather than pre-judge the outcome. Suggestions on governance reform submitted by member associations and confederations will be considered at the Council meeting scheduled for October 15, with additional feedback accepted before a yet-to-be-determined deadline.

Any modifications to FIFA’s statutes resulting from this review would require approval by the FIFA Congress. Infantino also assured associations that their stance on any proposals would not affect their standing or access to FIFA development and solidarity programs.

The president is expected to seek re-election in March in Rabat. His opponents have struggled to find a strong challenger and now appear focused on limiting Infantino’s powers within the organization. Despite the controversy, people familiar with internal discussions have indicated that Infantino retains sufficient support to secure a third term.

Infantino concluded his letter by reaffirming his commitment to leading FIFA and expressed confidence in the organization’s potential to achieve its goals through collaborative efforts.