FIFA has dropped plans to move ahead with its proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project after President Gianni Infantino admitted the initiative had become too divisive among member associations.
In a statement, Infantino said the project, which was aimed at strengthening FIFA’s member associations and boosting football development, particularly in countries that need the most support, will no longer go ahead.
“The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our FIFA Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed,” Infantino said.
He explained that FIFA had always made it clear that the proposal would only proceed if it secured majority backing from member associations, following consultations with FIFA’s governing bodies, the confederations and other key stakeholders.
However, following an extensive consultation process, Infantino said it had become clear that the proposal had created deep divisions within the football community.
“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place,” he said.
Infantino said preserving unity within world football was more important than pushing ahead with the proposal.
“Our purpose has always been, and will always be, to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed,” he added.
He said FIFA would now turn its attention to rebuilding consensus by holding fresh discussions with member associations, confederations and other stakeholders in the coming weeks.
According to Infantino, the goal remains to grow the game globally while ensuring greater support reaches the countries that need it most.
Statement attributable to the FIFA President
The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our FIFA Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed. And more so, as we said…
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) July 31, 2026
