Wales FA Challenges Infantino's FIFA Reform Claims

Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney has poured cold water on suggestions that FIFA is planning sweeping reforms, despite president Gianni Infantino proposing an external review of how the organisation operates.

Infantino sent a letter to FIFA Council members and all national associations saying he was open to reform and that an independent review would "recommend potential improvements." But Mooney says the reaction to that letter has been overblown.

"I've seen the headlines today about major reform at FIFA, that's not how the letter read to me, to be frank," he said. "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."

Fallout From the Failed Investment Plan

Infantino has faced mounting criticism over his now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which would have seen stakes in the World Cup and other competitions sold off to private investors. The plan triggered a strong backlash, and the FAW was among the first national federations to publicly withdraw its support for Infantino continuing as FIFA president.

Infantino is set to run for a fourth term in March 2027, and his rivals have until 18 November to put forward an alternative candidate. Mooney confirmed the FAW has no intention of backing him.

"With the FIFA president, you're looking for a moral guardian of the game," Mooney told BBC Radio Wales Phone In. "You're not looking for somebody to sell off parts of the game. The World Cup does not need private equity. They have billions and billions of dollars in reserve."

Calling for More Investment, Not Private Equity

Mooney pushed instead for FIFA to reinvest more of its growing revenues directly into grassroots football. "Give us the money. Let us build the pitches. You've got loads of reserves. Let's have it as soon as possible," he said.

He pointed to comments he made at a summit in Miami before the World Cup, attended by all 211 national federations, where he highlighted the huge jump in FIFA's revenue. "I stood up at that meeting and said, look, I mean, the revenue for Qatar was around eight billion. The revenue for this World Cup in Canada, USA and Mexico is 16 billion. Therefore, it's 100% increase in revenue, give us 100% growth."