Qatar FA backs Gianni Infantino after FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal withdrawn

The Qatar Football Association has welcomed Gianni Infantino’s decision to withdraw his controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, saying the move is in the best interests of the global football community and will help preserve unity among FIFA’s member associations.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Qatar FA said its president, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, supported the FIFA president’s decision not to proceed with the plan.

The association said the withdrawal was made “in the public interest of the international football community”.

“Although the proposal included some ideas that deserved consideration, we praise the prioritisation of maintaining the continued unity of all member associations as an immediate priority at the present time, as well as the wisdom behind this decision,” the statement added.

The Qatar FA also expressed its backing for Infantino’s wider work, saying: “We affirm the Qatar Football Association’s full support for President Infantino’s continued efforts to develop and grow football around the world.”

Infantino’s proposal had faced mounting opposition across the game. FIFA Forward Enterprise was intended to be a new company bringing together the organisation’s commercial activities and its tournament operations, while also allowing private-sector investors to acquire a stake.

The plan prompted a strong reaction from several confederations. UEFA said it would boycott FIFA competitions if Infantino continued with the project. Opposition also came from the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf.

Carlos Cordeiro, a prominent adviser to the FIFA president, resigned in protest at the proposal. It was also criticised by Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s chief operating officer.

Infantino eventually announced that he was withdrawing the project after the dispute triggered widespread unrest within the football world. However, the decision has not ended criticism of his leadership.

UEFA appears determined to remove Infantino from his position, while Concacaf has called for a “review of the FIFA presidency”.

The Qatar FA’s statement represents an important public show of support for Infantino at a time when the proposal has exposed divisions between FIFA’s leadership and several of its most influential member confederations.

By welcoming the withdrawal, Qatar’s governing body has placed particular emphasis on maintaining unity among FIFA’s national associations, while also acknowledging that elements of the proposed structure may have warranted further examination.

The controversy has therefore shifted from the future of FIFA Forward Enterprise to the broader question of Infantino’s position and the balance of power within world football.