FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the governing body has abandoned a scheme to sell stakes in the World Cup to private‑equity investors, a move that would have reorganized the federation’s commercial operations into a $20 billion subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise.
The proposal and its fallout
Under the plan, each of FIFA’s 211 member federations would have received a one‑time payment of $20 million, a figure that sparked both enthusiasm and concern across the soccer landscape. Infantino initially responded to the criticism with the blunt statement, “nobody is selling football,” underscoring the sensitivity of the issue.
The proposal quickly encountered resistance from several continental bodies. Asia’s soccer confederation, along with European and North American organizations, voiced strong opposition, with Europe threatening to withdraw from FIFA competitions if the scheme proceeded. CONCACAF, representing North America, rejected the plan outright, reflecting a broader regional unease.
Infantino later emphasized a unifying vision, stating that the episode had created harmful divisions within soccer governance and that the federation’s priority must be to grow the sport globally, especially in underserved regions. His remarks came after the resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker and Infantino’s senior adviser, who stepped down over the contentious proposal.
The decision to scrap the plan was framed as a step toward rebuilding consensus among the world’s soccer bodies. By acknowledging the discord it had sparked, Infantino signaled a willingness to refocus efforts on expanding football’s reach rather than pursuing short‑term financial gains.