FIFA to partially release documents relating to World Cup sell-off plan

FIFA will give members of its ruling council access to some documents for the first time related to the World Cup sell-off, Sky News understands.

A letter has been sent by FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom to council members as the deadline was reached for the governing body to respond to a series of questions about the controversy from UEFA, which is pushing for Gianni Infantino's departure.

It is understood council members will have access to "key documents" only in person at FIFA HQ in Zurich.

UEFA has sought all documents on the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme, saying it could pursue a case against Mr Infantino for criminal mismanagement in Switzerland, alleging he undersold the tournaments for personal financial benefit.

FIFA Council members, including all six regional confederation presidents, have two weeks to register their interest to see the documents.

In the letter, obtained by Sky News, Mr Grafstrom wrote: "The documents will be available at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich, under strict review protocols to preserve confidentiality."

The conditions would appear designed to limit the ability to disclose the contents of the FFE venture.

Sky News revealed in August that it had been scrapped after a backlash led by European governing body UEFA, supported by individual national associations.

Two weeks ago, Sky News reported on 54 questions sent by UEFA to FIFA demanding answers on the secret negotiations by Mr Infantino to privatise the World Cup and for an independent investigation to be launched.

UEFA is also pursuing legal action against FIFA and financiers in the US to gain documents to potentially pursue criminal proceedings.

FIFA is understood to be citing the legal threat as restricting what it can disclose.

Alleged conflicts of interest

UEFA is also demanding answers over Mr Infantino's alleged "conflicts of interest" over business dealings with the
Trump family, a call between the leaders before US striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban was lifted at the World Cup, and the creation of a FIFA Peace Prize for US President Donald Trump without the FIFA Council's approval.

Mr Grafstrom told council members that FIFA is "currently working on a response to the letter, which we will share with all FIFA Council members in due course.

"FIFA also recognises the strong desire of some FIFA Council members, which was clearly expressed in that meeting, to have sight of documents related to the FFE proposal, notwithstanding that the FFE proposal is now irretrievably ended."

The letter reveals "there would be and has been no penalty to FIFA for withdrawing from the proposal", with Mr Grafstrom insisting the council could always have rejected selling off 20% of the World Cup.

Time running out to find candidate

UEFA is understood to still be seeking a candidate to run against Mr Infantino in the FIFA presidential election in March after withdrawing its support for FIFA's head, along with, among others, the FAs of England, Scotland and Wales.

The deadline for candidates is 18 November, with the backing of five of the 211 voting FAs needed.

Mr Infantino would still need to be declared eligible by passing election integrity checks to validate his candidacy.

More on Sky News:
World Cup prize money doubled
28 years later - adventurer returns
Headteacher's killer jailed

FFE was planned in secret by Mr Infantino and a small group of advisers and investors, ‌bypassing FIFA's normal governance processes and failing to consult FIFA's Council, regional confederations or member associations, UEFA has alleged.

In response, FIFA accused European football's governing body of "harassment", and trying to influence the outcome by "spreading misinformation".

FIFA generates most of its income from the men's World Cup but it is projecting Brazil 2027 will be the first Women's World Cup to generate a profit.

UEFA has also highlighted concerns about Mr Infantino's discussions with Donald Trump and associates over the creation of a FIFA cryptocurrency, as Sky News revealed in February.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

(c) Sky News 2026: FIFA to partially release documents relating to World Cup sell-off plan