FIFA President Gianni Infantino has decided to scrap a proposed plan to sell stakes in the organization's major tournaments after facing significant opposition from member associations.
FIFA has abandoned a contentious proposal to invite private investment into its flagship competitions, with President Gianni Infantino announcing the decision following sustained pushback from the global football community. Infantino stated that the initiative had generated internal divisions that conflicted with its intended purpose, prompting the governing body to withdraw the proposal entirely.
The investment scheme would have offered each of FIFA's 211 member associations a payment of $40 million in exchange for supporting the privatization of stakes in major tournaments, including both the men's and women's World Cups. The financial incentive was designed to encourage member support for the controversial initiative.
The decision to shelve the plan represents a significant reversal for FIFA leadership, which had championed the investment proposal as a modernization measure. The widespread opposition to the scheme highlights the tensions within international football governance regarding commercialization and the role of private capital in the sport's most prestigious events.
