FIFA has abandoned its plan to sell off World Cup rights following pushback from its members
FIFA has abandoned its plan to sell off World Cup rights following significant backlash, leading Gianni Infantino to completely retract the contentious proposal.
FIFA has decided to abandon its plans to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors, following significant opposition from member associations that compelled the governing body to retract the proposal.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on Friday that the proposal would not proceed after encountering significant opposition from football organizations globally.
The plan sought to generate up to $4.2 billion through the sale of approximately a 20% stake in a new unit responsible for managing FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
The proposal, announced on Tuesday, quickly faced backlash. UEFA has issued a warning about potentially boycotting FIFA tournaments, alleging that the governing body is compromising the essence of the sport for financial gain.
“After carefully considering all perspectives, it is evident that the project has fostered divisions that, irrespective of the level of support, no longer serve the original objective.” Infantino issued a statement on Friday evening.
Our mission has consistently been—and will forever remain—to bring together and enhance. Consequently, this proposal will not move forward.
FIFA contended that divesting a minority stake in its commercial operations would yield billions of dollars to support football development globally. It also claimed that the media misrepresented the proposal.
Infantino communicated with member associations, informing them that each would receive $40 million contingent upon their approval of the proposal by September 19.
“As we progress, I aim to reunite all interested parties in the days and weeks ahead, fostering a spirit of collaboration for our game, with the goal of furthering the growth of football globally, especially in those nations that require our support the most,” Infantino stated.
Opposition to the proposal intensified over the course of the week.
On Thursday, UEFA’s 55 member associations reached a unanimous decision to boycott all FIFA tournaments unless the proposal was retracted, asserting that the World Cup “cannot be treated as an investment product.”
CONCACAF, representing 41 member associations from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, also dismissed the proposal during a meeting on Thursday.
On Friday, the Asian Football Confederation, comprising 47 member associations, announced its solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF.
UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC collectively represent 143 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, far surpassing the majority required for the proposal’s approval.
FIFA also experienced the disagreement.
Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned immediately on Friday, labeling the proposal as “a terrible deal for football.” Meanwhile, FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour accused Infantino of deceiving the staff, calling it “a project of one person.”
Infantino, 56, is set to seek re-election next year, while North American football chief Victor Montagliani is reportedly contemplating a challenge.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed to reporters that Infantino was “the wrong man to lead the organization.”
FIFA proposed the establishment of a $20 billion subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to oversee the World Cup and its various competitions.
Thrive Capital founder Joshua Kushner will lead the proposed investor group, as announced by FIFA. Joshua Kushner is the sibling of Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
Trump and Infantino have forged a strong bond, particularly with the United States co-hosting the 2026 World Cup. Trump stated that he had not engaged in discussions regarding the external investment proposal with Infantino.
