Bundesliga Daily Report - 2026-09-25: Bundesliga joins call for fundamental FIFA governance reform

The Bundesliga joined the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A in demanding fundamental FIFA governance reform on Friday. In a joint statement titled “To Unify the Game, FIFA Must Reform”, the four leagues called for a transparent, objective, proportionate and inclusive structure at football’s global governing body. They argued that FIFA’s president had accumulated excessive regulatory, commercial and political influence, while stakeholders affected by major decisions had been given too little power. The statement followed the withdrawal of the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which proposed opening FIFA’s commercial operations to private investment.

The leagues said withdrawing FFE had not resolved the conditions that allowed the proposal to emerge. Their demands included a permanent body representing national associations, leagues, clubs and players, stronger evidence-based decision-making, and clearer separation between FIFA’s regulatory and commercial roles. City AM reported that the group also wanted the winner of next year’s presidential election to convene an independently chaired Governance Convention within the first 100 days. The intervention increases pressure on Gianni Infantino ahead of the March election and underlines the domestic leagues’ growing concern over FIFA’s expansion of the international calendar.

Harry Kane said talks over a new Bayern Munich contract were progressing on Wednesday, with the England captain indicating that an announcement could follow soon. Kane’s current agreement runs until June 2027, while discussions over an extension have reportedly been under way since August. He said the two sides were “in good talks” and that there were still details to resolve, while also describing them as “fairly close”. The 33-year-old has repeatedly expressed his happiness in Germany, despite speculation linking him with Barcelona, and his comments suggested that extending his Bayern stay had become increasingly likely.

Kane also said his next football contract could be his “last big contract”, before he potentially explored a second sporting career as an NFL kicker. He has previously discussed the idea of switching sports and told reporters that the NFL was a more realistic option than professional golf, though he recognised the scale of the challenge. Any Bayern renewal would therefore shape both the club’s immediate attacking plans and Kane’s longer-term decisions. Bayern have already begun the process, and the striker’s public confidence gives the negotiations added significance as his existing deal moves towards its final season.

Annso Vogel extended her Borussia Dortmund contract on Friday, committing to continue the club’s women’s football project. Vogel said she had chosen to stay after two years in which she had seen strong progress both on and off the pitch. She also described the discussions over her extension with Ralf as a moment when she felt her work had been recognised, adding that she was pleased the coaching staff and club officials continued to trust her. Dortmund’s women’s side are working towards the Bundesliga, making the renewal part of a wider effort to build a sustainable route into Germany’s top division.

Vogel said Dortmund had already made significant progress and remained on a good path to creating something substantial. Her decision gives the club continuity as it develops its women’s programme and seeks to turn ambition into sporting advancement. The extension also reflects the importance of retaining players who have been involved during the project’s early stages, particularly when the club is attempting to establish professional structures and a clear identity. Dortmund can now continue that work with Vogel remaining part of the group that hopes to take the team all the way to the Bundesliga.