Fifa Scraps World Cup Investment Plan After Member Backlash

Fifa President Gianni Infantino arrives on the red carpet before the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on 5 December 2025.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino has scrapped a controversial plan to allow private investment in the World Cup after facing strong opposition from football bodies around the world.

Infantino said the proposal would not move forward after consultations with Fifa’s 211 member associations, adding that the organisation’s goal has always been to unite and improve football.

Fifa had introduced the plan on Tuesday, proposing the creation of a commercial subsidiary called Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) to manage events including the World Cup and Club World Cup. The initiative was expected to raise up to $4.2 billion based on a $20 billion valuation.

Under the proposal, each member association could have received a one-time payment of $20 million in early 2027, while annual funding for the 2027-2030 cycle could have increased from $8 million to $20 million.

However, the idea of selling even a minority stake in the new entity to private investors triggered widespread criticism. European football’s governing body Uefa warned that its national teams would not participate in Fifa competitions if the proposal remained active.

"The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale," Uefa said.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf also opposed the move, with the AFC warning that discussions of a possible World Cup boycott should concern everyone involved in the sport.

Pressure on Infantino increased after the resignation of senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro, who described the proposal as harmful for member associations and the long-term future of football.

South American football body Conmebol also called for more details about the project’s structure, governance and potential impact.

Infantino said the plan was designed to strengthen football associations and would only have proceeded with majority support. However, he acknowledged that the proposal had created divisions that were against its original purpose.

He said Fifa would now focus on restoring unity among stakeholders and continuing efforts to expand football globally, especially in countries needing greater support.