FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s unveiling of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) has left world football’s governing body at the centre of a fresh scandal. The initiative plans to create a commercial entity that will be responsible for the World Cup’s commercial, sponsorship, and broadcasting rights.

The proposal is hoping to generate millions of dollars of revenue for its 211 member associations, but the involvement of private investors and their influence on major international tournaments has sparked grave concern across the international football community. Met by opposition from several confederations and football associations, its critics feel that FIFA’s proposal could have a highly detrimental effect on the sport if allowed to come to fruition.

But unlike these opposing organisations, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has chosen not to reject FIFA’s plan from the outset. Instead, they intend to review the project before making “the decision that is most appropriate.” The FMF’s position on the commercial entity has provoked strong criticism from football fans and sports journalists online.

FMF Statement

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Following the revelation of the FFE proposal earlier this week, the FMF weighed in on the discussion, publishing their own statement in response to the programme’s proposal:

“The Mexican Football Federation was notified by FIFA on July 28, 2026 regarding President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to increase the revenues of the FIFA Forward program, the main vehicle to promote the positive development of football in the world, based on a new Financial model.

“In the aforementioned communication, FIFA proposes that, for Federations to make an informed decision regarding their participation in said mechanism, it will open working tables to expand the information and documentation associated with the new model.

“In this regard, the FMF will exhaust said study and analysis process to make the decision that best suits the development of Mexican soccer.”

CONCACAF Response

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In contrast, and in unity with UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation, CONCACAF expressed its severe disapproval of FIFA’s commercial proposal in a statement published on its website. The soccer confederation, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean, says it rejected FIFA’s plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, following a meeting with all 41 CONCACAF members yesterday.

Their statement read: “Concacaf is a confederation united by the love of our game, where football comes first. Guided by this philosophy over the past ten years we have built, from the ground up, an organization founded on service, transparent governance, and the long-term stewardship of football.

“History has shown FIFA and the football family what happens when the custodians of the game lose sight of these values.

“With this in mind, Concacaf today convened a meeting of the presidents of its 41 Member Associations, together with its President, Council members, and its FIFA Council members, to discuss a proposal developed and presented by the FIFA President to establish ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’ and sell interests in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.

“During the meeting, the membership expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies. In addition, the need for private equity investment to fund new and existing FIFA Forward programs following the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history was questioned.

“The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance.

“For these reasons, Concacaf and its 41 Member Associations have:

“Rejected the proposal;

“Tasked their FIFA Council Members with engaging FIFA to determine how existing vast FIFA reserves could be used to increase FIFA Forward funding for football development across our region; and

“Tasked their FIFA Council Members with instructing the FIFA President to ensure that any matter follows the proper governance processes via staff and FIFA Council, in accordance with the FIFA Statutes.

“Through these actions, Concacaf reaffirms that football’s future—and its greatest asset—must remain in the hands of our football family.”

Fan Reaction

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Reactions from football fans online have mirrored the firm stance taken by the likes of CONCACAF.

“Joke of a federation,” wrote one. “These fools have no shame,” echoed another. “This is VERY embarrassing,” commented one fan emphatically.

Another online user shared both anger and disappointment at the FMF’s stance following Mexico’s positive contributions to the World Cup over the last month:

Another fan agreed, stating, “Took them less than a month to ruin all the good will, and then some, that the World Cup generated.”

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, considered two of the greatest footballers in history, both failed to win the 2026 World Cup in what will almost certainly be their final major tournament on the international stage.

Ronaldo was hoping to become a world champion for the first time this summer. However, his Portugal side were knocked out by eventual winners in the last 16 of the competition.

Messi and Argentina fared much better as they put up a spirited title defence. After cruising through the group stage, they beat Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England to reach the final.

They were unable to retain their trophy, though, as Spain beat them 1-0 after extra-time in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Messi Has Already Returned to Inter Miami

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Messi, now 39 years old, played a starring role for Argentina yet again this summer. He featured in all eight of their matches, scoring eight goals and recording four assists.

He played the full match in all but two of those games. He played half-an-hour against Jordan, while he was substituted off with 10 minutes to play against Algeria.

Despite playing so much in such a short space of time, Messi has already returned to Inter Miami. The Argentine was pictured in training alongside his teammates just 10 days after the World Cup final.

Messi hasn’t been given much of a break at all following the World Cup due to the resumption of Inter Miami’s season. The 2026 MLS season was put on hold when the World Cup started but resumed immediately after the tournament ended.

Inter Miami have been without their star man for each of their last two games. They won both of those matches, beating Chicago Fire 3-2 and CF Montreal 1-0.

Messi will now hope to return to action when Inter Miami face Colombus on Saturday evening. He could line up alongside Casemiro, who was full of praise for the Argentine after arriving at the club.

He said, per ESPN: “I am coming only to play with the best player of all time. I want to enjoy, I want to help him to keep winning because he is a winner. Another player is joining who wants to win, who wants to compete.

He added: “The amount of problems Messi gave me, of course I dreamed of playing with him. I always wanted to play with the best. I could never stop him, I always needed help from my teammates. I am very happy that I am now with him, and I want to keep winning with him.”

Why Cristiano Ronaldo Hasn’t Returned to Al-Nassr Yet

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Ronaldo and Portugal were knocked out of the World Cup on July 6 as they were beaten 2-1 by Spain. He has been given a much longer break than his great rival, though, and is still enjoying his holidays.

Al-Nassr have begun their preparations for the 2026/27 season. They have played two pre-season friendlies thus far, losing 2-1 to Benfica B and then beating AD Merida 2-0. Their star man has been absent from those games.

Ronaldo, as well as compatriot Joao Felix, Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Saudi Arabia’s Abdulelah Al-Amri, have not yet returned to Al-Nassr’s camp, per Goal.

Ange Postecoglou, who replaced Jorge Jesus this summer, is behind the decision, per Saudi reports. With Al-Nassr’s season kicking off against Al Fateh on August 15, he has given his World Cup stars an extended break.

Postecoglou is said to be staying in constant contact with the group, asking them to undergo physical tests and measurements, follow a tailored programme of moderate effort, and report the results to him daily.

It is reported that the quartet will link up with the side in the coming days as Al-Nassr look to defend their Saudi League title and become AFC Champions League winners for the first time.

Carlos Alcaraz has faced scrutiny from tennis fans, after his new Instagram post debuted a peculiar new haircut for the two-time Wimbledon champion.

The Spaniard has been out of action since sustaining a wrist injury at the Barcelona Open back in April, which has caused the world number three to miss out on some of tennis’ most prestigious tournaments, such as Wimbledon, which was won by Jannik Sinner, and the French Open, with that being taken home by German Alexander Zverev.

Alcaraz has still been busy even with the injury, as his most recent Instagram dump showed him hanging out with Spanish World Cup hero Ferran Torres, after the former Manchester City’s winger’s 106th-minute strike confirmed the Spaniards’ second World Cup and the current US Open champion was there to watch it unfold.

Photos also showed the seven-time major champion rehabbing, as he is expected to return to the court at the Cincinnati Masters 100 before defending his US Open title in New York later this month, with tough competition expected from Sinner and Zverev.

But it looks like Alcaraz will be bringing something new to the tournament, and it involves a haircut, as the Spaniard has picked an interesting style, to say the least, going into his defence.

Carlos Alcaraz’s New Look

The Spanish tennis star usually opts for simple haircuts, with the furthest he has gone in recent times being a buzz cut which he bleached on his way to victory at the Japan Open.

But this time round, Alcaraz will opt for Cornrows going into August, as the youngest Grand Slam winner of all time showed off his look to his adoring fans, who looked on in shock as to see the 23-year-old with this new choice of style.

Many fans were quick to comment on this ambitious look, with multiple fans taking to X to voice their opinion on the topic.

One fan wrote, “GRIM. Sorry that he can’t play tennis. But this hairstyle is detracting from it,” another wrote, “Wait, is that actually Carlos?! Completely unrecognisable! Didn’t see this arc coming at all.”

Another fan looked to have switched sides by announcing that they had “Just joined team Sinner!”, while another fan was looking to convince Alcaraz to go back to the hairstyle he had during the Japan Open: “Carlitos, baby nooo. Just buzz cut platinum blonde again.”

The Spaniard will be hoping this new hair do will help him, as he looks to win his third US Open in the space of five years. One fan even thought it could, with them joking on X: “I like it! Hope it helps him aerodynamically, LOL!”