Germany and Wales push for deeper FIFA overhaul as Infantino reform plan faces backlash

Gianni Infantino’s proposed FIFA reforms have failed to satisfy some of his most vocal European critics, with the German and Welsh football associations arguing that the plans address process rather than the deeper governance changes they believe are required.Infantino has proposed asking the FIFA Council to commission an independent external review of how major strategic initiatives are handled and to open a structured consultation with confederations, member associations and stakeholders.The measures follow the collapse of FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would have brought private investment into a structure linked to FIFA competitions and triggered widespread opposition from national associations and confederations.Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said: “I’ve seen the headlines about major reform at FIFA. That’s not how the letter read to me, to be frank.“I saw the letter itself that was sent out, it doesn’t actually say reform of FIFA itself. It talks about reform around strategic projects and initiatives. They would look at how they were consulted and how decisions were made around that.”The criticism reflects a broader concern among some federations that the FFE controversy exposed structural weaknesses in FIFA rather than simply flaws in how one commercial proposal was developed and communicated.German FA president Bernd Neuendorf took a more direct position, describing Infantino’s letter as a “transparent ploy to secure re-election next year”.Neuendorf said: “Fundamentally, FIFA now seems to have recognised that changes are essential, but Gianni Infantino is definitely not the right person to lead a reform process. He has lost all credibility.”The DFB had already declined to support Infantino’s re-election before the FFE dispute, while the FAW was among the associations to withdraw its backing after the proposal became public.Mooney said the role of FIFA president should extend beyond commercial management.He said: “With the FIFA president, you’re looking for a moral guardian of the game. You’re not looking for somebody to sell off parts of the game.”The governance row also has a significant financial dimension.UEFA and Concacaf have separately proposed that FIFA distribute at least US$10m to each of its 211 member associations from reserves projected at around US$6bn, arguing that development funding can be increased without outside investment.Infantino has said FIFA remains open to reform and that future strategic projects should be developed through stronger institutional processes.The next major test will come at the FIFA Council meeting on October 15, where the proposed review and consultation are due to be considered.Infantino remains the only declared candidate for the March 2027 election, with potential challengers facing a November 18 deadline to enter the race.