- Infantino reportedly held a meeting with senior staff in Rabat, Morocco, described as dangerous and signaling deeper concerns about how FIFA operates.
- European Leagues said it raised serious questions about FIFA’s governance, internal culture and decision-making.
- 64 teams World Cup expansion was rejected by European Leagues, which said FIFA must not be allowed to continue taking unilaterally disruptive decisions.
- Until reform, European Leagues said it would reject the expansion or creation of FIFA competitions.
- FIFA denied a British media report that Infantino had offered Morocco hosting of the final at the 2030 World Cup.
The European Leagues association pressed for governance reform at FIFA on Wednesday, intensifying pressure on President Gianni Infantino after his failed plan to overhaul world soccer. The group said reforms must involve all stakeholders and warned against unilateral decisions that could destabilize the sport, days after Infantino reportedly met senior staff in Rabat, Morocco.125
The association described the moment as “dangerous”, adding it pointed to “serious questions about FIFA’s governance, internal culture and decision-making.” It urged reforms that ensure a formal role for all stakeholders in decisions shaping the game’s future and warned FIFA against unilateral, disruptive decisions.
On the same day, Infantino was reported to have held a meeting with senior staff in Rabat, Morocco, as the reform push intensified. In a show of public pressure, former Portugal and Real Madrid great Luis Figo called for Infantino to step down, saying he had “debased the office.”
The European Leagues also reiterated its stance against the “expansion or creation” of FIFA competitions until governance is reformed, a position echoed as they rejected the idea of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams. FIFA, meanwhile, denied a British media report that suggested Infantino had offered Morocco the hosting of the final at the 2030 World Cup.4
The clashes highlighted a broader fight over how the sport is run, with the Leagues’ stance ratcheting up pressure on Infantino as critics push for a more transparent, collaborative model before any major competition changes are approved.
Experts say the dispute underlines a broader rift over governance, revenue sharing and decision-making that will shape FIFA’s legitimacy in the eyes of clubs, leagues, players and fans worldwide, as the sport navigates scheduling, broadcasting and competition reforms with an eye toward stability and accountability. The world will watch how reforms unfold.
“European Leagues, which includes the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, described the situation as 'dangerous' and said it raised 'serious questions about FIFA's governance, internal culture and decision-making.' FIFA denied a British media report that Infantino offered Morocco the hosting of the 2030 World Cup final.”
