Bernd Neuendorf criticizes FIFA's failed Forward Enterprise plan

DFB president Bernd Neuendorf spoke at a press conference on August 4, 2026, expressing strong opposition to FIFA’s recently scrapped Forward Enterprise plan, which aimed to commercialize competition operations. Neuendorf highlighted the united stance from UEFA and other governing bodies against the plan, attributing its failure to lack of transparency and unilateral decision-making by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. He emphasized the need for a cultural shift within FIFA to prioritize collaborative decision-making. Infantino has yet to issue a formal apology for the controversies surrounding the plan, which drew criticism from various stakeholders.

• 5:30 AMYahoo Sports — DFB president Bernd Neuendorf provides statement against FIFA’s Forward Enterprise plan