FIFA President Gianni Infantino has formally reached out to the leaders of world football’s 211 member associations to propose a broad governance consultation aimed at reforming the global body’s decision-making framework.
​The initiative was unveiled in an official letter dispatched on Monday, September 21, 2026, from FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, and obtained by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The outreach comes as Infantino attempts to quell rising discontent among regional confederations following the collapse of a controversial plan to sell a 20 percent commercial stake in FIFA tournaments to private equity investors.
​In his letter addressed to the presidents of all 211 member federations and members of the FIFA Council, Infantino outlined plans to re-evaluate how institutional power, strategic direction, and commercial ventures are managed within football’s governing apparatus.
​”I will propose to the FIFA Council that it conduct a direct and structured consultation with the confederations, member associations, and relevant stakeholders to further strengthen FIFA’s decision-making processes,” Infantino wrote.
​The Swiss-Italian administrator noted that the consultation would focus on clarifying the respective responsibilities of the FIFA President, the 37-member FIFA Council, the executive Bureau, and the full FIFA Congress, while introducing concrete measures to enhance institutional transparency and accountability.
In addition to internal discussions, Infantino raised the prospect of commissioning an independent external review of FIFA’s governance framework for major strategic initiatives.
​The proposed reforms follow months of friction within world football’s administrative leadership. In July 2026, FIFA was forced to abandon a multi-billion-dollar private investment scheme that drew sharp pushback from key continental bodies, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Opponents argued that the proposal compromised the long-term commercial sovereignty of the World Cup and was pursued without adequate consultation.
​Addressing the fallout in Monday’s communication, Infantino acknowledged the unease generated by the aborted deal. “I recognise that, without the full context, this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been taken,” Infantino wrote, adding that his objective is not to pre-judge institutional outcomes but to ensure all member federations have a platform to voice their perspectives.
​”My role is not to pre-judge that discussion. Those who support a particular model should have the opportunity to set out their case clearly,” Infantino added, assuring member associations that no nation’s treatment within FIFA would depend on its stance regarding institutional matters.
​The letter establishes a clear timeline for evaluating and acting on potential structural reforms which states the 37-member FIFA Council will assemble on October 15, 2026, for its scheduled meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich to review initial feedback and determine whether to formally launch the direct consultation process and external governance review.
Any statutory amendments or binding governance updates resulting from the consultation must be formally submitted by March 2027, to all 211 member associations for a vote during the FIFA Congress, where Infantino is expected to stand for re-election.
