UEFA Demands FIFA Responses on $20B World Cup Plan and Balogun Red Card Reversal

UEFA has issued 42 formal questions to FIFA regarding a failed $20 billion World Cup sell-off and the reversal of Folarin Balogun’s red card during the 2026 tournament.

UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis sent a letter dated Oct. 19 to FIFA counterpart Mattias Grafström demanding answers to 42 questions regarding governance and decision-making. The inquiry focuses on Gianni Infantino’s failed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project, which sought to raise $20 billion by partially selling the World Cup to Thrive Capital. UEFA also requested documentation on the process used to overturn a red card issued to USMNT forward Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup.

Theodoridis specifically questioned what United States President Donald Trump asked Infantino during a phone call regarding Balogun’s dismissal. The letter further seeks clarification on why the FIFA Council was not consulted before exclusivity was granted to Thrive Capital, a firm led by Josh Kushner. Additionally, UEFA is seeking information on the establishment of a FIFA Peace Prize awarded to President Trump and reports of an undisclosed $1.7 million World Cup payment received by Infantino.

While UEFA withdrew a previous threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances that the FFE plan would not be repeated, the governing body continues to oppose Infantino’s leadership ahead of the March 2027 election. FIFA has been given a deadline of Monday, Nov. 2, to provide a substantive written response and all supporting documentation. Nominations for the FIFA presidency close on Nov. 18, with the election scheduled for the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco.