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Gianni Infantino issues grovelling apology for botched World Cup plot after crisis meeting

Gianni Infantino has been under fire for the last week after FIFA's controversial plan to sell off its competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors came to light

Grovelling Gianni Infantino has apologised for attempting to sell the World Cup, confirming that the controversial plan has been SCRAPPED. Infantino has faced intense backlash since FIFA announced last week - after media reports broke the news - a proposal for its competitions to be sold to private investors, sparking anger among the football community at all levels.

UEFA members unanimously voted to boycott FIFA tournaments if the plan was allowed to go ahead, while FIFA chief Arsene Wenger spoke out against it. A crisis meeting was held in Morocco on Wednesday amid the unrelenting criticism and constant leaks regarding the plans.

And now Infantino has admitted defeat with an apology - although he plans to fight on and remain FIFA President, despite widespread calls for him to resign. A letter signed by both Infantino and the FIFA General Secretary, Mattias Grafstrom, reads: "We acknowledge that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media.

"We sincerely apologise for these errors and commit to them not happening again. With this in mind, we will conduct a necessary review, and a report will be presented to the FIFA Council at its next scheduled meeting."

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[WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 06: Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 official match schedule announcement on December 06, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)]

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Gianni Infantino has been forced to apologise(Image: Tasos Katopodis - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The letter adds that Grafstrom and FIFA's Management Board 'reaffirm their full support' for Infantino, who's up for re-election next March. It goes on to say: "With the project withdrawn, FIFA will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation."

Meanwhile, FIFA say that its leadership held a constructive and positive meeting in Rabat. It comes after a bombshell report claiming that Infantino had offered Morocco the chance to host 2030 World Cup final - which they're co-hosting with Spain and Portugal - if they agreed to his plan.

Should Gianni Infantino resign? Have your say in the comments section.

[EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Rodri of Spain celebrates by lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy with teammates as FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump also stand on the podium after Spain won the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match against Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, USA on July 19, 2026. (Photo by Evrim Aydin/Anadolu via Getty Images)]

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FIFA's plan to sell off the World Cup has been scrapped(Image: Evrim Aydin/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Any federations who backed the scheme were told that they would receive 30million, a portion of which would be available in January if they responded positively by a September deadline. Infantino was even accused of bribery by the president of the Jordan FA, who hit out on social media.

Prince Ali bin Al Hussein posted: "We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now. But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that."

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