Gianni Infantino has confirmed that FIFA will abandon its controversial proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors. The decision follows intense opposition from European football’s governing body and other confederations.
The plan would have created a new company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage commercial operations for future World Cup and Club World Cup tournaments, with FIFA raising $4.2 billion through private investment.
Backlash and boycott threat
UEFA had threatened to boycott the World Cup, accusing FIFA of selling the sport's "soul". In a statement, Infantino said the project had "created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place."
"Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed," he added, promising to bring all interested parties back together "in the spirit of shared interest in our game".
Why was the plan opposed?
Under the proposal, FIFA would have retained a majority share in FFE, keeping control of governance and fixtures. But private investors, despite holding only a minority stake, would likely expect influence over World Cup decisions, potentially pressuring FIFA to expand the tournament or hold it more frequently than every four years.
The offer to member associations was also part of the plan: each of FIFA's 211 members would have received up to $40 million if they agreed by September 19.
Confederations push back
UEFA, CONCACAF – which represents 41 nations in North and Central America and the Caribbean – and the Asian Football Confederation (47 members) all voiced opposition. The AFC issued a statement saying it "stands in solidarity" with UEFA and CONCACAF. Together, the three bodies account for 143 of FIFA's 211 member associations, meaning the plan would have faced an uphill battle to secure majority support.
On Friday, FIFA accused the media of "disrupting" the consultation process and insisted that "nobody is selling football".
Senior advisor resigns
Carlos Cordeiro, one of Infantino's senior advisors, quit in protest over the plans. "Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally," he said. "It is a bad deal for FIFA's Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game."
Cordeiro, with more than 35 years in banking, added: "I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving part of it away. That is why this proposal should be rejected."
