FIFA President Gianni Infantino on May 16 confirmed that the organization has officially scrapped its plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors, after facing mounting pressure from the global football community.
In a statement, Infantino said: “After listening thoroughly to all opinions, it is clear that this project has become so divisive that, no matter the level of support it might receive, it no longer aligns with the objectives it was originally designed to achieve.”
The plan to sell equity in the world’s most prestigious tournament had been explored by FIFA as a way to raise significant financial resources. However, the proposal drew sharp criticism from national football federations, clubs, and fans, who feared that bringing in outside investors could undermine the tournament’s transparency and sporting integrity.
The decision comes as FIFA continues to seek new revenue streams to expand international competitions, while carefully balancing financial gains against consensus within the global football ecosystem.
