FIFA scraps World Cup stake sale plan after global backlash

FIFA has abruptly abandoned its "FIFA Forward Enterprise" (FFE) project, which proposed selling minority stakes in the World Cup's commercial business to private investors. The decision came just four days after the initiative's launch, following a swift and strong backlash from across the global football community.

The unprecedented reaction saw UEFA threaten to withdraw its 55 member national teams from FIFA competitions if the project proceeded. Concacaf also outright rejected the proposal, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) aligned with the European stance. Even within FIFA, public criticism emerged from officials close to President Gianni Infantino.

In a statement confirming the withdrawal, FIFA acknowledged that the project had generated "divisions" and was no longer aligned with its initial goals. The organization had intended the FFE to raise approximately $4.2 billion by selling about 20% of a commercial entity valued at $20 billion. This capital injection was meant to strengthen FIFA's 211 member associations, particularly those in less affluent countries, with a promised extraordinary bonus of $20 million per association by early 2027.

However, the proposal was widely interpreted as the first step toward privatizing the World Cup, FIFA's most valuable asset. UEFA had described the plan as an "ultimatum." Despite FIFA's insistence that the project required majority support from national federations and consultation with continental confederations and stakeholders, the opposition grew rapidly, forcing Infantino's administration to backtrack.