Gianni Infantino Cancels World Cup Privatization Plans: 'This Proposal Will Not Move Forward'

Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, has officially withdrawn plans for the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, a proposal aimed at privatizing aspects of the organization's development initiatives. The project's objective was to create a foundation for strengthening FIFA's member associations and advancing the sport worldwide, with a particular focus on countries requiring greater support.

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The FIFA Forward Enterprise project had the objective to provide a foundation to further strengthen our FIFA Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where the support is most needed. And even more so, as we said from the beginning, only if the majority of FIFA Member Associations support and always subject to a process of consultation with them, the FIFA Council, the Confederations and the wider stakeholders.

Infantino emphasized that the project was always intended to proceed only with the support of a majority of FIFA's member associations and subject to extensive consultation processes involving the FIFA Council, confederations, and broader stakeholders. However, after carefully considering all feedback, it became evident that the proposal had generated significant divisions.

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After listening carefully to all the opinions, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of such a nature that, regardless of the level of support, they are no longer in the interest of the objective set in the first place.

"It has become clear that the project has created divisions of such a nature that, regardless of the level of support, they are no longer in the interest of the objective set in the first place," Infantino stated in a message. He reiterated FIFA's core purpose: "Our purpose has always been, and will always be, to unite and improve."

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Our purpose has always been, and will always be, to unite and improve.

Consequently, Infantino announced, "This proposal will not move forward." He expressed his intention to convene all stakeholders in the coming days and weeks. The goal is to foster a spirit of shared interest in the game and to continue the work of growing football globally, especially in regions that need it most. The decision reflects a commitment to maintaining unity within the football community.

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As a result, this proposal will not move forward.