FIFA has abandoned its controversial proposal to sell private stakes in future FIFA World Cup tournaments following widespread opposition from football governing bodies, fans and key stakeholders across the globe.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the decision on Friday, saying the proposal had created deep divisions within the football community and would no longer serve the organisation’s objective of promoting unity.
“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions that are no longer in the interest of football. As a result, the proposal will not proceed,” Infantino said in a statement.
The proposal, unveiled earlier this week, sought to establish a new commercial subsidiary that would manage the commercial and operational rights of FIFA’s major competitions, including the FIFA World Cup.
Under the plan, private investors would have acquired a stake in the subsidiary, with FIFA maintaining that the funds generated would be reinvested into football development.
However, the initiative attracted widespread criticism, particularly from UEFA, which warned that the move threatened the governance, integrity and long-term future of the game.
Following the backlash, Infantino pledged to rebuild unity within world football.
“My intention is to bring all stakeholders back together in the coming days and weeks to continue working towards the growth of football across the world, especially in countries that need greater support,” he said.
The proposal also faced stiff opposition from other football confederations. UEFA’s 55 member associations unanimously threatened to boycott future FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups, if the plan went ahead.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), CONCACAF and the Oceania Football Confederation also raised concerns over the proposal.
Adding to the pressure, FIFA senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, describing the proposal as “a bad deal for football” and saying he had no involvement in its development.
FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour also publicly criticised the initiative, describing it as “the project of one person” and calling on football leaders to make the right decisions for the future of the game.
The controversy was further fuelled by concerns over the proposed involvement of private investment firm Thrive Eternal, led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
Critics feared that private investors could prioritise commercial returns over the long-term interests of global football.
With the proposal now officially withdrawn, attention shifts to FIFA’s upcoming competitions, including the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
