Philippine Football Federation Backs FIFA President Gianni Infantino Despite Withdrawal of FIFA Forward Enterprise Proposal

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has reaffirmed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, despite the withdrawal of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial initiative that had sparked widespread debate within the global football community.

The proposal, which was ultimately shelved following opposition from several continental football governing bodies, aimed to establish a commercial subsidiary that would oversee FIFA’s major events, including the FIFA World Cup. Under the plan, FIFA would have retained majority ownership while allowing external investors to acquire minority stakes in the new enterprise.

According to FIFA, the initiative was designed to significantly increase commercial revenue and potentially triple the funding available for football development across its 211 member associations. The additional resources were expected to support infrastructure projects, coaching programmes, grassroots development, and other initiatives aimed at growing the sport worldwide.

However, the proposal faced strong resistance from several regional football organizations, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), of which the Philippines is a member. Critics argued that a proposal of such financial and structural significance required broader consultation and greater consensus among FIFA’s member associations before implementation.

Despite the proposal being withdrawn, the Philippine Football Federation said it continues to support the vision behind the initiative and believes developing football nations would benefit from increased financial and technical assistance.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the PFF emphasized that countries with emerging football programmes require stronger support to accelerate the sport’s growth and welcomed efforts aimed at expanding development funding.

The federation also acknowledged the concerns raised by other football confederations, stating that major decisions affecting the global game should be discussed openly and democratically. It noted that broad consultation among FIFA’s member associations helps ensure transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making.

While respecting the positions taken by UEFA, CONCACAF, the AFC, and other member associations, the PFF reiterated that it remains supportive of the broader objective championed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino—expanding commercial opportunities to generate greater financial support for football development, particularly in smaller football markets such as the Philippines.

The federation further expressed confidence in Infantino’s leadership, stating that continued dialogue among football’s governing bodies and member associations would help strengthen cooperation and promote the long-term growth of the sport.

The PFF’s public endorsement comes at a time when FIFA continues to explore new ways of increasing investment in football development worldwide. Although the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal has been withdrawn, discussions surrounding sustainable funding models and greater support for developing football nations are expected to remain a key focus within the global football community.