European Leagues Demand FIFA Governance Reform Amid Infantino Crisis Meeting

European Leagues called for FIFA governance reform on Wednesday, rejecting a 64-team World Cup expansion while Luis Figo urged Gianni Infantino to resign.

European Leagues, an association representing the Premier League, LaLiga, and Serie A, formally demanded FIFA governance reform on Wednesday following the collapse of a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. The organization labeled the proposal "dangerous" and stated it raised serious questions regarding the internal culture and decision-making of world soccer's governing body. This declaration coincided with a reported crisis meeting held by President Gianni Infantino and senior staff in Rabat, Morocco, as pressure mounts ahead of the March elections where he seeks a fourth and final term.

Specific opposition has been leveled against the potential expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams. European Leagues announced it will reject the expansion or creation of any FIFA competitions until a formal role for stakeholders is established in the decision-making process. Former Real Madrid and Portugal star Luis Figo joined the dissent, calling for Infantino to step down and accusing the president of having "debased the office."

Internal Divisions and Executive Resignations

The push for FIFA governance reform follows a week of internal fracturing within the organization. Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned last week, while chief operating officer Kevin Lamour claimed staff members were "deceived" by a lack of openness from the presidency. On Tuesday, high-ranking officials Arsène Wenger and secretary-general Mattias Grafström distanced themselves from the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plans, which sought to manage tournaments through a commercial subsidiary.

Concacaf, the governing body for North and Central American and Caribbean soccer, added to the criticism by stating that FIFA leadership had "stopped putting football first." These internal rifts became public after Infantino was forced into a climbdown regarding the FFE project, which was designed to sell profits in the sport's top competition.

UEFA Boycott Threats and Election Uncertainty

UEFA has applied the most significant pressure on the current administration by voting to boycott the World Cup if the FFE plans proceeded. Despite Infantino withdrawing the proposal, the European governing body maintains it has lost confidence in his leadership. This stance potentially paves the way for a formal challenge to his presidency in the upcoming election cycle.

European Leagues emphasized that FIFA must not be allowed to continue making "unilaterally disruptive decisions." The association insists that the future of the game requires a governance structure that ensures all relevant stakeholders have a formal, recognized role. The summit in Rabat, occurring on August 5, 2026, highlights the growing expectation that Infantino will face opposition as he attempts to secure his final four-year mandate.

Rejection of Competition Expansion

The current stalemate includes a total block on new tournament formats by the top European domestic competitions. By describing the FFE and expansion plans as a threat to the sport's stability, the leagues have signaled a complete halt to cooperation on any new FIFA-led commercial ventures. The rejection of the 64-team World Cup model serves as a primary pillar of this resistance, as stakeholders demand a shift away from what they describe as a culture of unilateral decision-making.