- Arsene Wenger, Fifa’s chief of global football development, publicly endorsed Gianni Infantino’s decision to abandon a controversial plan to sell stakes in a World Cup company to private investors, describing the move as "absolutely necessary and beyond question."
- Wenger clarified he was not involved in the strategic plan to establish Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) and only became aware of it through media reports, asserting his belief in an independent Fifa that serves the game with commitment, transparency, and integrity.
- The initiative faced significant opposition, with three continental confederations rejecting it outright and Uefa threatening to boycott the World Cup and other Fifa competitions if the plan proceeded.
- The decision to withdraw the project comes amid growing dissent, with European football associations, including the Football Association and the Football Association of Wales, withdrawing their support for Infantino.
- Concerns were also raised by the European Football Clubs group regarding the FFE plan's potential impact on existing agreements, while Fifa’s chief operating officer stated staff had been "deceived" by the president.
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