FIFA accuses UEFA of ‘smear campaign’ over dropped World Cup investment plan

FIFA has accused UEFA of launching a "smear campaign" against itself and its president, Gianni Infantino, due to a dispute over a scrapped plan to bring private investment into FIFA's commercial rights. This conflict intensified after UEFA requested US courts to release documents and obtain testimony related to FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposed subsidiary that would have involved outside investors in major FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

UEFA argued that the information could be used in potential criminal proceedings against Infantino and other FIFA officials or advisers in Switzerland. UEFA accused FIFA of developing the FFE proposal without proper consultation, questioning the valuation and structure of the proposed investment, and suggesting Infantino might benefit personally from the arrangement.

FIFA, however, denied these allegations, stating that the dispute was merely a "smear campaign" against FIFA and its leadership, emphasizing that the FFE proposal was only a proposal and not implemented due to opposition from UEFA and other stakeholders. The plan had initially proposed a $4.2 billion investment for a 20% interest in a new FIFA commercial entity.

Despite the proposal's withdrawal, the controversy persists as UEFA seeks evidence in the US to support possible criminal claims under Swiss law, while FIFA challenges these efforts in court. This dispute has also become more political ahead of FIFA's presidential election in March 2027, with UEFA and several European associations intensifying their criticisms of Infantino's leadership, while he still enjoys significant support from football bodies outside Europe.