FA chair Debbie Hewitt demands FIFA release files on scrapped World Cup stake sale

Formal demands for disclosure

England Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt has written to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafström demanding the release of all internal documentation regarding the abandoned World Cup investment project and the handling of a disciplinary ruling. In an update provided to members of the FA Council on 17 September 2026, Hewitt confirmed that she sent a formal note requesting that all files and records be submitted before the 37-member FIFA Council convenes on 15 October 2026. Hewitt, who also serves as a FIFA vice-president and council member, stated that the governing body cannot conduct an internal review of itself. The English FA had previously endorsed Infantino for re-election before withdrawing its backing, and Hewitt noted that other council members, including Belgian federation president Pascale Van Damme, intend to present similar demands.

Scrapped commercial selloff

The governance dispute centres on the FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme, an initiative designed to manage the commercial operations and broadcasting rights for tournaments, including the men's and women's World Cups. Infantino's proposal envisioned selling a 20% stake in the commercial vehicle to private investors. The proposal met resistance from continental bodies, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, with UEFA threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions until the project was abandoned. Infantino scrapped the proposal in July 2026 and issued an apology on 5 August 2026 for the process. While FIFA's management board pledged to conduct an investigation, the organization has not revealed who is carrying out the inquiry.

Disciplinary intervention and political scrutiny

Hewitt's request also seeks documentation concerning the decision by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to suspend a one-match suspension given to United States forward Folarin Balogun. Balogun received a red card during a 2-0 round-of-32 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup, which originally ruled him out of the round-of-16 match against Belgium. U.S. President Donald Trump then contacted Infantino by telephone to urge a review of the penalty, after which FIFA suspended the one-match ban for one year. The decision allowed the Monaco striker to play against Belgium, a match the United States lost. Hewitt indicated that council members will also seek records concerning the circumstances surrounding the awarding of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to Trump in July 2026.

Legal actions and election opposition

Opposition to Infantino has extended to the legal system and the upcoming FIFA presidential election. UEFA declared that it has lost confidence in Infantino and submitted legal filings in United States courts seeking the forced disclosure of files relating to the private investor proposal. A joint letter from the presidents of UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation previously called for Infantino's resignation. Infantino, who confirmed his intention to run for a third four-year term at the FIFA Congress in March 2027, retains strong support in South America, Africa, and several Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Opposing confederations have committed to selecting an alternative candidate before the 18 November 2026 nomination deadline.