“Not fit to be FIFA president,” FA chair warns Infantino

On October 15, 2026, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) faced scrutiny when English Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt expressed doubts about President Gianni Infantino's suitability to lead the organization. Hewitt, who serves as a FIFA vice president, brought up concerns over a canceled private investment proposal and the handling of striker Folarin Balogun's suspension.

Infantino apologized for consulting officials about a proposed commercial company, but senior federation officials from England and Germany felt the apology did not address their leadership concerns. FIFA's proposed commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, carried an estimated $20 billion valuation and would have involved outside investors contributing up to $4.2 billion for a 20% stake.

The proposal, which required approval from most of FIFA's 211 member associations, included $20 million in development funding for member associations from 2027 to 2030. UEFA and CONCACAF had already rejected the proposal in July 2026, with UEFA threatening a boycott. FIFA eventually withdrew the proposal on July 31. The October 15 council meeting also saw FIFA agreeing to review its disciplinary code following Balogun's suspension, with the Legal Committee examining the placement of the automatic one-match suspension on probation.