EFC calls on Infantino to provide promised seat on FIFA Council, a seat that isn’t his to give
August 17 – European Football Clubs (EFC) has demanded a seat for its chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi on the FIFA Council, a promise that has apparently been made by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
In a letter sent to FIFA on July 31, in the aftermath of Infantino’s plans to privatise the World Cup and signed by EFC chief executive officer Charlie Marshall, the powerful club association reminded FIFA of a commitment it had previously made that EFC has a seat on the FIFA Council, which, on paper at least, is FIFA’s highest decision-making body.
Marshall wrote: “We also note that, despite previous commitments and the 2024 amendments to FIFA’s Statutes, our Chairman has still not been fully integrated into the FIFA Council. This should now be addressed without delay and we also expect the EFC Chairman to be invited to the FIFA Bureau whenever matters affecting clubs or club football are discussed, particularly given that clubs—unlike FIFA’s member associations— remain the principal investors in, and supporters of, football’s development.”
Al-Khelaifi, a Qatari national, is considered a key powerbroker in world football. In addition to chairing the EFC, the Paris Saint-Germain president serves as the chair of BeIN Media Group and sits on UEFA’s executive committee. Accession to the FIFA Council would add yet another major role to his portfolio.
However, the award of a seat on the FIFA Council to EFC is not Infantino’s to give, but requires approval by member associations as it is a statutory change. Federation and Confederation presidents Insideworldfootball has spoken to say that they had no idea of the promise of a seat to EFC, adding that should they now be looking to get their own regional clubs associations a seat on the FIFA Council.
Under Al Khelaifi’s chairmanship, the EFC has become a powerful force in European football, nourishing a close relationship with UEFA. In a joint venture with UEFA, UC3 manages the commercial, media, sponsorship and licensing rights for UEFA club competitions. At the same time, EFC also backed the expanded Club World Cup, which FIFA introduced in 2025 in a 32-team format.
Europe’s top clubs, including PSG, benefitted from the huge prize money at stake. It affirms the perception that the EFC, an organisation in which a small minority of the more than 800 club members possess full voting rights, defends the rights and interests of Europe’s elite clubs.
Previously, Qatari Al Khelaifi had been linked to the role of FIFA president, something his advisors have repeatedly denied. The Qatar Football Association however backs Infantino.
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