On August 1, CONCACAF and its 41 member associations issued an official statement welcoming FIFA's withdrawal of its previous plans.
Official statement from CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football)
The North and Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation (hereinafter referred to as Concacaf) and its 41 member associations are pleased that FIFA has withdrawn its previous proposal for FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
Concacaf also praised its 41 member associations and the entire football family for the courage and solidarity shown this week.
At a critical moment that demands firm principles and responsible leadership, our member associations stand united in upholding the long-term interests of football and the principles of good governance.
This unity ultimately led to victory.
Concacaf also specifically acknowledged and thanked the media for their important role in bringing this incident to the public's attention, allowing issues that were previously hidden behind the scenes to be brought to the forefront.
The series of events that have occurred in recent days have exposed a problem that can no longer be ignored: the future development of the world's biggest asset—the FIFA World Cup—has been pushed to the relevant stages without transparency, sufficient consultation, or adherence to established governance procedures.
A proposal of this scale could not have developed to this point by chance.
It reflects a leadership style that no longer prioritizes football itself.
This recent unilateral action, which seriously violates the principles of good governance, is not an isolated incident, but a continuation of a series of previous erroneous decisions and similar behaviors.
Therefore, a comprehensive review and reflection on the current leadership is necessary.
This concern is not unique to Concacaf. Many other continental football federations, member associations, and all those who serve and love football have expressed similar views.
When those entrusted with protecting the development of football feel they are no longer able to fulfill this responsibility within the existing system, the entire football family has the right to raise questions:
Why was such a proposal allowed to proceed? Who should be held responsible?
FIFA is not a private company.
It is an international organization entrusted with the management of football and the interests of all its member associations.
Those appointed to manage FIFA affairs bear a fiduciary responsibility—a responsibility to serve football, not a responsibility to pursue power.
If this responsibility is not fulfilled, then accountability must never be a dispensable option.
Authorized by its member associations, Concacaf's representative on the FIFA Council will ensure, through direct communication and participation in the Council's work, that issues concerning governance, accountability, and leadership are properly addressed in accordance with the systems and procedures set forth in the FIFA Statutes.
They will also continue their efforts within the same framework to explore how to allocate a portion of FIFA’s vast reserve funds to Concacaf regional member associations through the FIFA Forward funding program to promote football development in the region while ensuring that it does not jeopardize the shared future of football.
We are all simply guardians of football.
Football belongs to everyone in the world, not just one individual.
The unity shown by the member associations this week once again proves that when football is guided by courage, integrity, and good governance, the sport will eventually return to its rightful place— in the hands of the football family, not in the hands of one person.
