TIMELINE: The rise and fall of FIFA's private investment plan

Here is a chronological timeline detailing how the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal unfolded, blew up into a global football crisis, and was ultimately killed off in a matter of days.
1 August 2026

FIFA scraps private investment plan after backlash

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Saturday he had scrapped a plan to allow private investment in the World Cup following fierce backlash from football officials worldwide.
1 August 2026

What if FIFA doesn't blink?

The answer may arrive sooner than anyone expected.
1 August 2026

Eddie Howe resigns as Newcastle boss

Newcastle confirmed the departure of manager Eddie Howe on Friday following a five-year stint at St James' Park.
31 July 2026

Infantino 'wrong man' to lead FIFA: UK PM Burnham

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Friday Gianni Infantino was "the wrong man" to lead FIFA following the launch of a controversial plan to sell stakes in competitions to private investors.
31 July 2026

FIFA studying impact of expanding World Cup to 64 teams for 2030 edition

FIFA is studying whether to expand the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, according to a document seen by Reuters, in a move that could reshape soccer's showpiece tournament when it celebrates its centennial.
31 July 2026

England's Stones joins Inter Milan on free transfer

England centre-back John Stones has joined Inter Milan on a free transfer after spending 10 years with Manchester City, the Italian champions announced on Thursday.
31 July 2026

Chelsea's Palmer says World Cup snub has motivated him

Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer said on Friday he has a point to prove this season after missing out on England's World Cup squad, while hailing new manager Xabi Alonso as a "breath of fresh air".
31 July 2026

Brazil lack midfield to play possession football: Ancelotti

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended his side's direct style of play following their disappointing World Cup exit, insisting the Selecao simply do not possess the midfield quality required to dominate possession in the manner of champions Spain.
31 July 2026

Senior Infantino advisor resigns over FIFA's 'bad deal for football'

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning world football's governing body FIFA's proposed private investment plan, saying on Friday they were alarmed it had reached the point a "World Cup boycott has entered public discourse".
31 July 2026

Franco Baresi: The benchmark for defensive greatness

Baresi wore Milan's number 6 shirt with such distinction that the club withdrew the number after his retirement.
31 July 2026

AFC expresses solidarity with UEFA, CONCACAF over FIFA stake sale

On Thursday, Europe's UEFA voted unanimously to boycott all FIFA tournaments, while CONCACAF, the regional federation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, rejected FIFA's proposal.
31 July 2026

AC Milan and Italy legend Franco Baresi dead at 66

Baresi is regarded as an AC Milan icon, having spent his entire 20-year career with the club, winning six Serie A titles and three top European trophies, and captaining the team for 15 seasons before retiring in 1997.
31 July 2026

FIFA to proceed with consultation process over stake sale plans

Under the plan, FIFA would establish FIFA Forward Enterprise to oversee commercial and event operations.
31 July 2026

Kings in deeper FIFA trouble

FIFA bans threaten Kings and Abahani’s BFL participation, with the club licensing deadline looming on August 4.
31 July 2026

Can football stay the people’s game?

Just days after the biggest FIFA World Cup in history came to a close, FIFA unveiled a proposal that threatens to alter football's future fundamentally.
31 July 2026

Messi 'one of the gods, if not the god of football': Casemiro

Casemiro said he was looking forward to playing alongside, rather than against, Messi, after their many battles in the Spanish league clasicos between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
31 July 2026

'Messi behaved in a sportsmanlike manner': World Cup final referee Vincic

Argentina came under scrutiny for their combative approach in the final after Ferran Torres struck in extra time to hand Spain a 1-0 victory and a second World Cup title.
31 July 2026

Reactions from across Europe to UEFA's FIFA World Cup boycott vote

UEFA and its 55 member nations voted on Thursday to boycott all FIFA tournaments in protest at the global governing body's plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to external investors.
31 July 2026