FIFA cancels World Cup stake sale after UEFA backlash

FIFA has abandoned its controversial proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup and other major tournaments to private investors, following intense opposition from continental football bodies and leading clubs. The decision, announced on August 1, 2026, represents a significant setback for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who had championed the plan as a way to raise billions in new revenue.

The proposal involved creating a commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to oversee events like the men's and women's World Cups and the Club World Cup. The most contentious element was the planned sale of a minority stake, reported to be 20 percent, to private investors. Infantino argued the move could generate up to 4.2 billion dollars in new funding for global football development.

However, the plan faced immediate and coordinated resistance. UEFA, the governing body for European football, led the opposition, pledging to boycott FIFA competitions unless the idea was scrapped and declaring it had lost confidence in Infantino. They were joined by other confederations, including CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean) and the Asian...