FIFA has withdrawn its controversial proposal to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup and other major competitions to private investors following strong opposition from football stakeholders around the world.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the decision in a statement shared on his Instagram page on Saturday, saying the plan would no longer go ahead because it had created divisions within the football community.
Infantino explained that the FIFA Forward Enterprise project was designed to strengthen football development and provide more financial support to member associations, especially in countries where resources are limited.
However, after consultations with FIFA member associations, the FIFA Council, continental confederations and other stakeholders, he said it became clear that the proposal was no longer serving its intended purpose.
“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.
He added that FIFA’s goal would always remain focused on uniting football and improving the sport globally.
The decision came after major opposition from UEFA, which warned that its member associations could boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if the proposal was approved.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) also opposed the plan and supported UEFA’s position.
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FIFA had previously defended the proposal, insisting that it was not an attempt to sell football but rather a strategy to create new revenue streams and increase funding for national football associations.
Former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick had supported the initiative, arguing that it could provide more financial benefits to football associations worldwide.
Pinnick said the proposal had the potential to increase support for national teams, with associations possibly receiving up to $20 million alongside existing FIFA Forward funding.
Despite the potential financial benefits, critics raised concerns that private investment in FIFA’s commercial rights could affect the independence, governance and future direction of global football.
Following the widespread resistance, FIFA has now decided to abandon the plan and continue discussions with stakeholders on other ways to grow the game.
