CONCACAF and its 41 Member Associations have formally rejected FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, citing serious concerns over governance, transparency, and process.
In an official statement, the confederation made it clear that its decision was driven by multiple unresolved issues surrounding the proposal, which it believes required deeper scrutiny before any approval.
Among the key concerns raised were a lack of due process and transparency, as well as the short timeline given to member associations to review and approve the initiative. CONCACAF also pointed out that the proposal had not undergone evaluation by FIFA’s established governance bodies, raising further questions about its legitimacy.
Additionally, the confederation expressed reservations about the reported reliance on private investment, especially in light of FIFA’s strong financial position following record revenues from recent World Cup tournaments.
As part of its response, CONCACAF has not only rejected the proposal but also instructed its representatives on the FIFA Council to explore alternative solutions. Chief among these is the possibility of utilizing FIFA’s existing financial reserves to enhance funding through the current FIFA Forward programme.
The confederation further urged FIFA to adhere strictly to its governance structures for any future initiatives, emphasizing the importance of accountability and collective decision-making in global football administration.
“Football’s future and its greatest assets must remain in the hands of our football family,” the statement read.
The rejection represents a significant moment in ongoing discussions about the direction of football development funding, with CONCACAF’s stance highlighting growing calls for transparency and institutional integrity at the highest levels of the game.
