Infantino Cuts Plan to Sell World Cup Stakes Amid Global Backlash

Sun Sep 06 2026 04:43:34 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Fifa president Gianni Infantino pulls back a controversial proposal to sell stakes in world tournaments after widespread opposition from member associations and confederations.

Infantino abandoned a plan to create a commercial subsidiary that would allow private investors to purchase non‑controlling stakes in FIFA’s flagship events, including the World Cup. The proposal sparked mass protests from UEFA, Concacaf and other confederations, who warned of boycotts if the plan went ahead. Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, calling the move a "bad deal for football", while FIFA’s COO insisted the administration had been misled about the project. Infantino now says the plan will not proceed, signalling a potential crisis ahead of the March 2027 Congress. The decision underscores how governance and investment ambitions can clash within global football governance.

Infantino Cuts Plan to Sell World Cup Stakes Amid Global Backlash

Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA since 2016, has abandoned a proposal to allow private investors to buy stakes in the organisation’s flagship tournaments, after a wave of opposition from member associations and football confederations warned it could divide the sport.

The idea, announced in late July, would have created a commercial subsidiary – FIFA Forward Enterprise – through which third parties could receive minority, non‑controlling shares. A 25‑page JP Morgan brief promised that football federations receiving the stake would earn an increased payout of around 24 million euros per member association in the 2035‑39 cycle. Under the plan, all 211 FIFA member associations would need to back the proposal by 19 September to receive a £20 million subsidy.

When UEFA announced it would boycott World Cups if the plan proceeded, Concacaf and later the Asian Football Confederation echoed that stance. Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, calling the proposal a "bad deal for football" that would "mortgage football’s future". FIFA’s chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said the administration had been "deceived" about the project.

Infantino, who had expected to secure re‑election unopposed in March 2027, admitted the plan could not be carried forward, citing the lack of majority support among the 211 member associations. He said the project had "created divisions" that were no longer in the interest of the original objective.

The decision comes as global football faces a critical moment. Affiliates in Africa and Oceania said they would debate the plan in August, while Conmebol requested more information on the proposal’s structure. As FIFA prepares for its 77th Congress in Morocco, the fallout from this saga is already reshaping the political landscape of football governance.

Timeline of Events

Monday, 27 July – Infantino posted a 15‑slide Instagram story telling critics to "meditate, pray or watch a football match" instead of spreading hate.

The Times and FT reported Infantino’s stake‑selling plan.

UEFA issued a statement that football was not for sale.

FIFA issued a formal statement confirming the plan.

Wednesday, 29 July – Infantino sent a letter to all 211 associations, offering £30 million if they backed the plan; the deadline was 19 September.