FIFA chief's World Cup plan amounts to 'self-destruct', says Premier League boss

Richard Masters, chief executive of the Premier League, has supported the Football Association's decision to distance itself from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, describing the administrator's World Cup expansion initiative as a self-sabotaging move. The FA's withdrawal of backing represents a significant shift in its stance toward the FIFA leadership, signalling growing concerns over Infantino's governance and strategic direction. Masters' comments underscore the deepening divide between major football bodies and FIFA's top leadership over the planned expansion of the World Cup tournament. The disagreement centers on Infantino's proposal to restructure the World Cup format, which has faced resistance from numerous stakeholders in world football, including prominent league officials and national associations. The FA's repositioning reflects broader discontent within European football circles regarding FIFA's direction under Infantino's presidency. The dispute highlights tensions between FIFA's global governance ambitions and the commercial and competitive interests of domestic leagues and established football institutions. As the controversy continues to unfold, major football organizations are increasingly willing to publicly challenge FIFA's leadership on key strategic decisions affecting the sport's future.