Fifa scraps proposal to sell off stakes in World Cup after widespread backlash

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially abandoned his controversial proposal to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup to private investors following sustained global opposition. The scheme, which would have allowed external financial entities to acquire portions of football's premier tournament, collapsed after an unprecedented backlash from continental confederations and key figures within the sport. Infantino confirmed the withdrawal in a statement, acknowledging that the initiative "has created divisions of a nature that are no longer of the interest of the objective." The World Cup, which has been held quadrennially since 1930 and attracts over 3 billion viewers worldwide, remains one of football's most valuable assets, generating billions in broadcast and sponsorship revenue.

The proposal triggered widespread rebellion across international football's governing structures. UEFA, representing 55 European national associations, threatened to boycott future FIFA competitions if the privatization plan proceeded—a significant threat given Europe's dominance in recent World Cup tournaments, with European nations winning five of the last eight editions. Beyond UEFA's ultimatum, other continental confederations including CONMEBOL, AFC, CAF, and OFC publicly opposed the scheme. Internal dissent reached critical levels when Carlos Cordeiro, one of Infantino's senior advisors, resigned in protest on Friday, signaling deep fractures within FIFA's leadership circle. Kevin Lamour, FIFA's chief operating officer, delivered a scathing critique of Infantino's "serious lack of respect" in attempting to force the initiative through without meaningful consultation with stakeholder organizations.

The collapse marks a significant setback for Infantino's tenure as FIFA president since 2016, undermining his authority on major strategic decisions affecting global football. The withdrawal eliminates immediate threats to the established World Cup framework, which remains under FIFA's exclusive control since its founding in 1930. Moving forward, FIFA faces pressure to rebuild institutional trust through transparent governance and stakeholder engagement. The tournament's next iteration in 2026 will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, expanding to 48 teams for the first time—already presenting significant logistical and financial considerations that FIFA must navigate carefully amid this reputational challenge.