FA Chair Debbie Hewitt Demands Infantino Release FIFA World Cup Sell-Off Files Before October Council Meeting

Since FIFA's plan to sell an equity stake in the World Cup collapsed in August, under threat of a UEFA boycott, the pressure campaign against FIFA president Gianni Infantino has moved from public statements to a formal written demand.

English Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, who also sits on the FIFA Council as a vice-president, has sent a letter to Infantino and FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström asking for full disclosure of every document related to the scrapped scheme, according to The Times, whose reporting was confirmed by the Guardian and AFP. Hewitt wants the material released before the FIFA Council's next meeting in Zurich on October 15, the first time the full 37-member body will sit down with Infantino since the plan surfaced in July.

What was actually being sold

The abandoned venture, known internally as FIFA Forward Enterprise, would have created a commercial vehicle to manage World Cup ticketing and commercial rights, with a stake sold to outside investors. The Guardian and Ground News put that stake at 20 percent; The News International reported 21 percent. FIFA has not published a document settling the exact figure.

According to Sky News reporting carried by V2 Radio, the venture was valued at $20 billion, even though FIFA has told its own members the last full World Cup cycle generated roughly $15 billion. UEFA is reportedly exploring whether to pursue a case alleging Infantino undervalued the World Cup for personal benefit, though this remains an allegation UEFA has not proven and Infantino has denied any wrongdoing, declining further comment when approached by Sky News.

UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation accused Infantino last month of breaking trust through what they called deception over the plan. UEFA has since said it has "lost confidence" in Infantino and filed legal applications in US courts seeking disclosure of internal FFE records, according to Al Jazeera and RFI. FIFA has pushed back, accusing UEFA of running a "smear campaign," per Mathrubhumi English.

The Balogun question FIFA still hasn't answered

Hewitt's letter also revives the case of USA striker Folarin Balogun, who was shown a straight red card for serious foul play during the USA's World Cup last-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. His automatic one-match ban was lifted after President Donald Trump phoned Infantino, according to the Guardian, allowing Balogun to play in the last-16 loss to Belgium.

FIFA has said the decision was made independently by its ethics committee following due process, but it has never published a written report explaining the ruling. A request from the Royal Belgian FA for an explanation went unanswered, the Guardian reported. Hewitt is now demanding those records too.

Infantino's political math

Infantino apologized in August over how the FFE process was handled and FIFA's management board promised an internal review, but FIFA has not said who is conducting it. England, Wales and Scotland have withdrawn letters of support for his re-election bid, according to Ground News, while the confederations of Africa, South America and Oceania have reaffirmed backing him.

Infantino confirmed earlier this month he intends to seek re-election at the FIFA Congress in March. UEFA and Concacaf are working to field a rival candidate ahead of the November 18 nomination deadline, though as of now Infantino remains the only publicly declared candidate.

An attempt by rebel council members last month to force an extraordinary general meeting to hold Infantino accountable fell short of the 19 votes required, the Guardian reported. Hewitt's push for an independent review faces long odds of succeeding through formal FIFA channels.

The Guardian also flagged a wrinkle in the FA's position: England is the sole bidder for the 2035 Women's World Cup, with hosting decisions for that tournament and the 2031 edition due at an extraordinary FIFA congress on November 23, just five days after the presidential nomination deadline closes. The FA is taking a public stand against the man whose federation will decide its hosting bid within weeks.

Whether FIFA releases any documents before the October 15 council meeting, or names who is running its promised review, remains unanswered. So does the core question UEFA is now pressing in US courts: how FIFA arrived at a $20 billion valuation for a World Cup venture it says has generated $15 billion in actual revenue.