FIFA World Cup stake sale plans have been abandoned after widespread opposition from member associations forced world football’s governing body to withdraw its proposal. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed on Friday that the organisation will no longer pursue plans to sell a minority stake in a new commercial entity that would have managed the FIFA World Cup and other major events.
According to Reuters, FIFA had proposed raising up to $4.2 billion by selling around a 20% stake in a newly created subsidiary. However, resistance from several continental football bodies and internal criticism ultimately led to the project’s withdrawal.
FIFA Withdraws World Cup Stake Sale Proposal
The proposal was unveiled earlier this week as part of FIFA’s plan to establish a commercial company named FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The new entity was intended to oversee FIFA’s commercial events, including the FIFA World Cup, while attracting private investment to generate additional revenue.
FIFA argued that the investment would provide billions of dollars that could be directed toward football development programmes around the world. The governing body also maintained that the proposal had been misunderstood in public discussions.
Despite those assurances, the plan faced immediate resistance from football organisations that questioned whether outside investors should hold a financial stake in competitions as significant as the World Cup.
Gianni Infantino Says Proposal Created Divisions
Announcing the decision on Friday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the governing body had decided not to proceed after listening to feedback from its members.
“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 in a statement.
“Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed.”
Infantino added that FIFA intends to continue discussions with stakeholders in the coming weeks with the objective of supporting football development, particularly in countries that require greater assistance.
UEFA Led Opposition to the FIFA World Cup Stake Sale
The strongest opposition came from UEFA, European football’s governing body. After the proposal was announced, UEFA criticised the plan and warned that commercialising ownership of the World Cup risked undermining the values of the sport.
On Thursday, UEFA’s 55 member associations unanimously backed a boycott of FIFA competitions unless the proposal was withdrawn. UEFA argued that the FIFA World Cup should not be treated as an investment product for private financial interests.
The opposition soon expanded beyond Europe. CONCACAF, representing 41 national associations across North America, Central America and the Caribbean, rejected the proposal during a meeting on Thursday.
A day later, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which represents 47 member associations, announced that it stood in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF.
Together, UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC account for 143 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, meaning the proposal would have struggled to secure the majority support required for approval.
Internal Criticism Added to FIFA’s Challenges
The controversy was not limited to FIFA’s member federations. According to Reuters, the governing body also faced criticism from within its own leadership during the week.
Infantino’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned with immediate effect, describing the proposal as “a bad deal for football.” FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour also criticised the initiative, saying staff had been “deceived” and characterising it as a project driven by one individual.
The internal disagreement added further pressure as opposition to the commercial plan continued to grow.
Financial Proposal and Investor Interest
Under FIFA’s proposal, the governing body planned to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise as a commercial subsidiary responsible for operating the World Cup and other FIFA events.
According to FIFA, Thrive Eternal, an investment fund managed by Thrive Capital founder Joshua Kushner, had been expected to lead the proposed investor group. The plan sought to value the subsidiary at approximately $20 billion while selling a minority stake to private investors.
Before opposition intensified, Infantino had informed FIFA’s member associations that each would receive $40 million if the proposal secured approval before the September 19 deadline.
Political and Leadership Developments
The debate over the proposal also coincided with growing attention on FIFA’s leadership. Infantino, 56, is scheduled to seek re-election next year, while North American football official Victor Montagliani has reportedly emerged as a potential challenger.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also criticised Infantino during the controversy, saying he believed the FIFA president was not the right person to lead the organisation.
Reuters also reported that U.S. President Donald Trump said he had not discussed the investment proposal with Infantino despite their close relationship during the United States’ role as one of the co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What Happens Next?
With the proposal officially withdrawn, FIFA has indicated it will reopen discussions with football stakeholders in an effort to maintain unity while continuing to explore ways of funding football development worldwide. The decision ends one of the most controversial governance debates within world football in recent years and leaves FIFA searching for alternative approaches to expanding its financial resources.
