A Plan That Never Took Off
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has scrapped his proposal to sell World Cup revenues to private‑equity investors after a wave of criticism from soccer bodies across the globe.
The resistance was most pronounced in Europe, where national federations announced a coordinated boycott of the tournament and all FIFA events as a protest against the commercialisation of the competition. In North America, the regional soccer body also rejected the scheme, further isolating the plan.
In a brief statement, FIFA said that “nobody is selling football” and that it would continue to consult with stakeholders on the future of the competition, but confirmed that the private‑equity model would not move forward.
The next major FIFA‑sanctioned tournament, the Women’s Under‑20 World Cup, is slated to be hosted by Poland beginning on September 5, offering a focal point for the sport amid the ongoing debate.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s four football associations remain the sole candidates to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup, with a final decision expected on November 23.