FIFA Abandons World Cup Investment Plan Amid Backlash

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has abandoned a plan to permit private investment in the World Cup, which faced intense global backlash. The controversy began when The Times reported on the proposal, prompting UEFA to issue a statement asserting that "None of us are the owners of football.

It is not FIFA’s to sell." FIFA initially responded with a statement detailing the plan, which aimed to raise $4.2 billion by allowing minority, non-controlling investments while retaining a majority share in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). British Prime Minister Andy Burnham opposed the proposal, stating, “The World Cup is not a product.” CONCACAF expressed disappointment over not being consulted, while the European Union and the Asian Football Confederation also voiced their opposition.

Infantino attempted to reassure stakeholders by promising $40 million to FIFA member associations that supported the plan, but a subsequent UEFA statement declared a boycott of all FIFA competitions, emphasizing that no UEFA national teams would participate as long as the proposal remained active.