FIFA president Gianni Infantino has launched a broad consultation process with all 211 national member associations to discuss potential reforms to the governance and decision-making operations of world football's governing body.
In a letter sent to members of the FIFA Council and the presidents of every national federation, Infantino proposed an immediate, organized, and time-limited dialogue. The process aims to examine how major decision-making procedures within the organization can be strengthened.
The consultation initiative follows months of intense internal debate over FIFA Forward Enterprise, a controversial project designed to establish a new commercial entity involving private external investors. FIFA ultimately withdrew the proposal after encountering significant pushback from several football governing bodies.
Controversy over commercial investment plan
European football governing body UEFA and other regional confederations voiced strong reservations regarding how the commercial plan was presented and promoted. Opponents raised serious concerns about transparency and the lack of proper consultation prior to the announcement.
FIFA subsequently acknowledged that errors were made during the process. The organization announced a complete review of the initiative, with the findings set to be presented to the FIFA Council for evaluation.
Focus on governance and transparency
Following the withdrawal of the commercial project, Infantino is seeking to shift discussions toward structural governance. He has requested that continental confederations, national member associations, and key stakeholders submit specific proposals for institutional reform.
The consultation will examine the precise roles of FIFA's various governing bodies, the extent of member association participation in major decisions, and mechanisms to enhance transparency and accountability across strategic initiatives.
FIFA, founded in 1904 and headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, is the global governing body for association football. Infantino has served as its president since 2016, overseeing governance across six continental confederations, including UEFA in Europe.
Future framework for member collaboration
The dialogue represents an attempt by FIFA leadership to establish a refreshed framework of cooperation with its 211 member associations. The objective is to determine whether structural changes can ensure key choices are made through clearer rules and broader participation.
Submissions from member federations and stakeholders will form the basis of discussions as FIFA evaluates potential amendments to its operational rules in upcoming council meetings.
