MEPs demand Infantino appear before European Parliament over FIFA private investment plan

The European Parliament is preparing to call FIFA President Gianni Infantino to testify about his contentious plan to permit private investment in FIFA's competitions. The proposal has drawn furious criticism across the football community and prompted European football associations to threaten a boycott of the next World Cup.

A draft letter, obtained by Euronews and currently circulating among lawmakers from all political groups, invites Infantino to answer questions directly, invoking the "transparency and democratic accountability that FIFA has itself publicly endorsed."

The plan involves establishing a new company to run FIFA's competitions and selling stakes of up to 20 percent to external investors. Among the potential investors is Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared is the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. FIFA maintains that national associations should have the chance to review the proposal through an "open and democratic" consultation. It is also resisting calls from UEFA and CONCACAF to suspend the project.

European Parliament political groups have voiced alarm over the initiative. Irish MEP Barry Andrews told Euronews: "The global good that is the World Cup is not anyone's to sell. We are extremely concerned by FIFA's recent announcement."

The draft letter, circulated by Polish conservative MEP Bogdan Zdrojewski, has been sent to the leading members of the Parliament's Culture and Education Committee for approval. It directly blames Infantino for FIFA's leadership and calls on him to appear and explain himself. "We wish to express our grave concerns at FIFA's current leadership, governance and direction," the MEPs wrote, adding that it is "a betrayal of your duty to football stakeholders – most notably fans – across the world."

EU lawmakers are troubled by the lack of consultation over the plan and the fact that it was announced ahead of FIFA's presidential election year in 2027. Infantino has already declared he will stand for re-election. "Let us be very clear: the European Parliament will not stand by if FIFA is treated as a personal asset, campaign fund and political career ladder," the MEPs stated. "These developments come against a wider backdrop of public outrage regarding FIFA's – and your own specifically – political relationships, commercial practices and decision-making."

If the letter receives approval from a majority of the committee's lawmakers, a formal invitation will be sent to Infantino in September.