FIFA Scraps World Cup Stake Sale Plan After Widespread Backlash

FIFA, football's world governing body, has abandoned its controversial plan to sell stakes in its major competitions — including the World Cup — following an intense campaign of opposition led by UEFA and supported by continental football associations around the globe.

Infantino Retreats After European Threat

FIFA president Gianni Infantino had proposed allowing private investors to acquire ownership shares in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions in a move intended to raise billions in fresh capital. The plan sparked immediate and widespread opposition, with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin rallying European football associations into a unified front that threatened to boycott future tournaments if the plan proceeded.

The announcement that FIFA has scrapped the initiative came after days of escalating pressure, with football governing bodies across multiple continents expressing alarm at what they described as an unacceptable commercialization of the sport's most cherished events.

Infantino's Future in Question

The collapse of the investment plan has raised significant questions about Infantino's leadership of FIFA. Several football officials and commentators have called for his resignation, arguing that the episode demonstrates a fundamental misalignment between his vision for the organization and the interests of the global football community.

Infantino has so far not commented on whether he intends to remain in his role. FIFA is expected to address the organizational fallout from the episode at upcoming executive committee meetings.