FIFA President Cancels Cup Stake Sale After UEFA Revolt

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has withdrawn a controversial plan to sell a minority stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup, announcing the reversal on August 1, 2026, after facing an overwhelming institutional revolt that has severely damaged his standing within world football. The proposal, which sought private investment for a new commercial subsidiary, was scrapped just days after being unveiled, triggering a formal declaration of lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership from European football’s governing body, UEFA.

The plan, known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, was first detailed publicly around July 28. It aimed to raise billions by selling roughly a 20 percent stake in a new entity that would control commercial operations for FIFA tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups. FIFA argued the investment would unlock substantial funding for global football development, promising each of its 211 member associations significant additional financial support.

Instead, it prompted a swift and coordinated backlash from FIFA’s most powerful regional confederations. UEFA led the opposition, with its 55 member associations voting unanimously to...