FIFA has abandoned its controversial plan to bring private investors into the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup after fierce opposition from football stakeholders, with President Gianni Infantino admitting the proposal had become too divisive to pursue.
The world football governing body had proposed creating a new commercial entity that would oversee the FIFA World Cup and other major competitions, with plans to sell about a 20 per cent stake to outside investors. The initiative was expected to raise up to $4.2 billion.
However, the proposal triggered widespread criticism from UEFA, several national football associations and senior FIFA officials, who warned that it risked commercialising football’s most valuable assets and undermining the organisation’s governance.
Announcing the decision to withdraw the plan, Infantino said FIFA had listened to the concerns raised by stakeholders.
“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has 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,” Infantino said.
The decision follows days of intense debate within global football, with UEFA reportedly leading resistance to the proposal and warning that football’s long-term interests should not be compromised by private investment.
The backlash was further amplified by the resignation of FIFA President Infantino’s senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, who publicly opposed the initiative.
FIFA said it would no longer proceed with the investment proposal, effectively ending plans to establish the new commercial structure.
The governing body maintained that its priority remains the global development of football and pledged to continue managing its flagship competitions under its existing framework.
The reversal marks one of the most significant policy retreats under Infantino’s presidency and highlights the influence of football’s continental confederations and member associations in shaping the future governance of the global game.
