Off the PitchThe GuardianUnverified source· 4 Aug 2026
FIFA No 2 slams 'sad' World Cup plan as pressure mounts on Infantino
FIFA's secretary general publicly criticizes the failed investment scheme, deepening the crisis around president Gianni Infantino.
Who
Mattias Grafström
What
Called failed World Cup investment plan 'sad and reproachable'
When
Tuesday
Where
FIFA
What happened. FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström criticized the failed World Cup private investment plan as a 'sad and reproachable series of events', adding to pressure on president Gianni Infantino.
- Arsène Wenger also issued a statement saying the plan's withdrawal was 'absolutely necessary'.
- Senior FIFA figures are distancing themselves from Infantino's leadership.
- Wenger had been publicly silent on the crisis until now.
“Sad and reproachable series of events”
— Mattias Grafström
The criticism from top FIFA officials signals growing isolation for Infantino amid the fallout.
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