His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA), affirmed his full support for the decision taken by FIFA President Gianni Infantino not to proceed with the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, stressing that the decision serves the best interests of the global football community.

In a press statement issued by the QFA, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani explained that although the proposal contained ideas worthy of consideration, the current stage requires preserving the continuity and unity of FIFA’s member associations as an immediate priority, emphasizing that this principle formed the basis of the decision. He added that the Qatar Football Association believes maintaining the cohesion of the international football system and strengthening cooperation among national associations are fundamental pillars for the continued development of the game and the achievement of its shared objectives.

The Association renewed its full support for the efforts led by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, praising his continued commitment to developing football and expanding its growth worldwide in a manner that serves the game and its global community. Infantino had withdrawn the proposal to open FIFA’s commercial operations to private investors after it faced widespread criticism and concerns that it could commercialize football amid allegations of potential conflicts of interest. In a statement, Infantino said: “After carefully listening to all viewpoints, it became clear that the project had created divisions that no longer served the original purpose for which it was launched.” His decision comes at a time when he is facing additional pressure following the recent resignation of his senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro. FIFA had previously unveiled, unexpectedly, a plan to increase football development funding to US$10 billion over the next four years, but the proposal drew sharp criticism regarding both its substance and the manner in which it was introduced. Infantino had planned to establish a company named “FIFA Forward Enterprise,” open to private-sector investors, to manage FIFA’s commercial activities and major events. The proposal raised widespread concerns that it could undermine the nature of football competitions and turn football into a purely commercial enterprise. The President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) welcomed the withdrawal of the proposal and called for greater “transparency” in presenting initiatives of such scale in the future. Meanwhile, the Mexican Football Federation wrote on “X”: “We welcome prioritizing the unity of all continental and national associations in the best interests of football.”