Fifa scraps World Cup investment plan after fierce backlash
Fifa has abandoned its controversial plan to sell off stakes in its flagship competitions, including the World Cup, after the proposal drew fierce opposition from clubs, leagues, and national associations around the world. The U-turn marks a significant defeat for president Gianni Infantino, who had championed the scheme as a way to unlock billions in private investment for global football.
What the plan involved
The proposal, which had been in discussion for several months, would have seen Fifa open up ownership stakes in competitions such as the men’s and women’s World Cups to outside investors. Infantino had reportedly been in talks with private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds, with figures of up to $10 billion floated in early discussions. The idea was positioned as a long-term financial play, one that would help Fifa diversify its revenue streams beyond its traditional broadcasting and sponsorship deals. But critics weren’t buying it.
Why the opposition was so strong
Resistance came from virtually every corner of the sport. European clubs, already wary of Fifa’s growing commercial ambitions, pushed back hard. So did several national federations, who feared losing control over competitions that have been publicly governed for over a century. The European Club Association and a number of prominent league bodies issued formal objections, arguing that selling equity stakes would fundamentally compromise the integrity and governance of international football. And it wasn’t just European voices. Associations across South America and Africa also raised concerns.
The backlash was simply too broad to ignore.
Fifa’s response
Fifa confirmed the decision to drop the plan in a brief statement, saying the governing body would focus on “alternative strategies” to grow revenue without external equity partners. A spokesperson said the organisation “remains committed to expanding investment in football at all levels” but acknowledged that the consultation process had revealed significant reservations across the membership. That’s a diplomatic way of saying the room wasn’t with Infantino on this one. The statement didn’t offer a specific timeline for what comes next or outline any concrete alternatives.
What happens now
The collapse of the investment plan leaves Fifa in a familiar position: flush with cash from a successful 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which generated around $7.5 billion in revenue, but under persistent pressure to find new income as costs rise and the expanded 48-team World Cup format — set to debut in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026 — brings its own logistical expenses. Infantino still has genuine support within Fifa’s broader membership, particularly among smaller associations that depend on Fifa’s financial distributions to function. But this episode has exposed real limits to how far he can push structural change without wider buy-in. Whether Fifa tries to revive some version of the idea down the line, or pivots to a completely different model, remains to be seen.
