FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called off a controversial proposal to sell a 20% stake in future World Cup revenues to private investors, a plan that had sparked a firestorm across the sport's governing bodies and fan bases.
A bold financial gamble
The scheme, branded as FIFA Forward Enterprise, envisioned raising $4.2 billion by offering a minority share of upcoming tournament profits to investors, with Thrive Eternal — led by Joshua Kushner — positioned as the anchor backer.
Under the proposal each of FIFA's 211 member associations would have received a $20 million boost, effectively doubling the current $10 million allocation, a figure that had been earmarked for development projects worldwide.
Opposition mounts
European football's governing body, UEFA, issued an unequivocal warning, threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions unless the plan was withdrawn. The sentiment was echoed by FIFA's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who publicly criticised the initiative as destabilising.
Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned shortly after the backlash emerged, describing the deal as a misguided move that could jeopardise the sport's integrity.
Critics warned that the financial arrangement could upset the delicate balance between club and international football, potentially siphoning funds away from domestic leagues and the UEFA Champions League, which already contributes a substantial share of revenue to the global game.
Infantino's reversal
Faced with mounting pressure, Infantino announced on Friday that the proposal would be abandoned, stating that the divisions it created were no longer in FIFA's best interest. He emphasized a renewed focus on unity and the long‑term health of world football.
The episode marks a rare setback for a leader who had previously sailed through two unopposed re‑elections, and it has opened the door for potential challengers such as Nasser al‑Khelaïfi and Victor Montagliani to position themselves as alternatives.
The next FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March in Rabat, Morocco, with candidacy filings closing on November 18. While the organization's 211 federations remain divided, the fallout from the aborted investment plan has reshaped the political landscape surrounding Infantino's future.