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FIFA has issued a detailed clarification regarding its proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project following concerns raised by several stakeholders. The world football governing body said the proposal is still under discussion and no final decision will be made without consulting all 211 member associations. In an official statement, FIFA stressed that transparency and consultation remain central to its decision-making process. It said every member association will have the opportunity to review the proposal and express its opinion before any final approval is granted. FIFA said no single organisation or group can claim to represent the interests of all 211 member associations. For that reason, it said all major decisions must be taken collectively after a comprehensive consultation process involving its global membership. The organisation also responded to criticism suggesting that the proposed project could result in the commercial sale of football. FIFA strongly rejected those claims and stated that football is not being sold under any circumstances. The governing body said it would never compromise the integrity of the sport or transfer ownership of its commercial operations. It added that the proposed enterprise is intended solely to improve the management of commercial activities while keeping FIFA in full control. According to FIFA, the proposal involves establishing a subsidiary company under the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative. The subsidiary would manage certain commercial operations, but it would remain entirely owned and controlled by FIFA. The organisation said the project aims to generate higher commercial revenue, allowing greater investment in football development programmes across the world. FIFA said the additional income would be distributed among all member associations through its existing development framework. Under the proposal, every FIFA member association could receive up to $20 million in FIFA Forward funding during the 2027-2030 funding cycle. The organisation said the increased financial support would help national football associations strengthen infrastructure, improve grassroots development, enhance coaching programmes and invest in long-term football projects. FIFA also clarified that while the proposal may include external investment, such investment would not affect FIFA’s governance structure, independence or decision-making authority. The organisation said it would retain complete ownership and operational control of the proposed subsidiary. The governing body further stated that the project has not yet been approved and remains subject to discussions with member associations. It emphasised that the proposal could still be amended if member associations recommend changes during the consultation process. FIFA made it clear that if a majority of its 211 member associations do not support the proposal, the FIFA Forward Enterprise project will not move forward.

STOCKHOLM: Pakistani international Abdullah Iqbal has achieved a major milestone in the country’s football history by becoming the first Pakistan national team player to feature in a UEFA Champions League qualifying match. The historic moment came when the defender made his debut for Swedish club Mjällby AIF during their UEFA Champions League qualifying fixture against Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps on Tuesday. Iqbal entered the match in the 62nd minute, marking a landmark achievement for both his career and Pakistani football. His appearance places him among a select group of Pakistani footballers to compete on one of Europe’s biggest club football stages. The 26-year-old has become an important figure for Pakistan’s national team in recent years and is widely regarded as one of the country’s most accomplished overseas-based footballers. His Champions League qualifying debut is expected to inspire young footballers in Pakistan, where the sport has been striving for greater international recognition. Although Pakistani-origin footballer Atta Hussain previously played in UEFA Champions League qualifiers, he had not yet represented Pakistan at the international level at the time. Abdullah Iqbal is therefore the first player to achieve the milestone after officially representing the Pakistan national team. Football fans across Pakistan celebrated the achievement on social media, describing it as another proud moment for the country’s growing presence in international football. Many supporters praised Iqbal’s dedication and expressed hope that his success would encourage more Pakistani players to pursue professional careers in Europe. The achievement also highlights the increasing impact of overseas-based Pakistani footballers, who continue to strengthen the national team with experience gained in competitive European leagues. While Abdullah Iqbal’s appearance came in the qualifying rounds rather than the Champions League group stage, it remains a historic first for Pakistan and another sign of the country’s gradual progress on the international football scene. His landmark debut is expected to inspire the next generation of Pakistani footballers dreaming of competing at the highest level of European club football.