Fifa is set to amend its regulations to prevent a recurrence of the Folarin Balogun controversy. The issue arose after Fifa’s disciplinary committee suspended an automatic one-match ban for the United States forward during the World Cup, following a request from US president Donald Trump to Fifa president Gianni Infantino for a review of the decision.

A proposal targeting the explicit prohibition of suspensions for automatic one-game bans is anticipated at the upcoming Fifa Council meeting in Zurich on Thursday. However, critics, including Football Association chair and Fifa vice-president Debbie Hewitt, demand a comprehensive explanation regarding Balogun’s case. Hewitt has previously requested all related documents from Infantino.

Infantino has consistently asserted that the disciplinary panel operated independently from his office. Council members, including Hewitt, also intend to question Infantino about the abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which aimed to attract private investment for overseeing financial rights of major tournaments.

Amidst calls for his resignation from three confederation presidents over the summer, Infantino remains determined to pursue a fourth term at the next Fifa Congress. Recently, he gained unanimous support from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and backing from various regions, despite prior pressure from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The Council will also discuss the Fifa Peace Prize following a request from a member, and there are inquiries about Infantino’s lease for office space in Trump Tower, where Fifa reportedly agreed to a $4 million deal. Additionally, it was revealed that Infantino received a £1.3 million payment from a World Cup subsidiary, which was not included in Fifa’s financial report.

Moreover, the Council will review a proposal to distribute $6.35 billion to member nations over the next three years, significantly increasing the planned allocation for national associations. This follows a letter from Uefa and Concacaf presidents advocating for additional funds to ensure development and governance integrity.

Lastly, the Council is expected to confirm host nations for various competitions, including the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup in 2028, with the US favored to host the event.