FIFA scraps World Cup sell-off plan after UEFA threatens boycott

FIFA has officially abandoned its controversial proposal to sell a minority stake in the FIFA World Cup following fierce opposition from football’s governing bodies around the globe.

Speaking on Friday, Gianni Infantino confirmed that the governing body had withdrawn the plan after acknowledging that it had caused significant divisions within the football community.

The proposal would have seen FIFA raise up to $4.2 billion by selling around a 20% stake in a newly created commercial entity responsible for managing the World Cup and other FIFA competitions.

However, the announcement sparked immediate backlash. UEFA led the opposition, accusing FIFA of putting the “soul” of football at risk and warning that its member nations would boycott FIFA competitions if the proposal moved forward.

In a statement, Infantino admitted the project had become too divisive.

“After listening carefully to all views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions which are no longer in the best interests of the objectives we originally set out to achieve.”

He added that FIFA’s priority remains growing the game worldwide and bringing football’s stakeholders together rather than creating further conflict.

FIFA had argued that the investment would generate billions of dollars to expand football development programmes across the globe. As part of the proposal, member associations were reportedly promised $40 million each if they approved the plan before the September 19 deadline.

UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC Unite Against FIFA

Resistance to the proposal intensified throughout the week.

On Thursday, UEFA’s 55 member associations unanimously voted to boycott FIFA tournaments unless the proposal was withdrawn, insisting that the World Cup should never become an investment product.

The opposition quickly spread beyond Europe. CONCACAF, representing North America, Central America and the Caribbean, also rejected the proposal during its own meeting.

On Friday, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced it stood alongside UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing the plan.

Together, the three confederations represent 143 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, comfortably exceeding the majority required for the proposal to receive approval.

Internal Pressure Mounts on Gianni Infantino

The backlash was not limited to FIFA’s member associations.

Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned with immediate effect, describing the proposal as “a bad deal for football.”

Meanwhile, FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour reportedly criticised the project internally, claiming staff had been misled and characterising the initiative as the vision of a single individual.

The controversy has also increased scrutiny on Gianni Infantino, who is expected to seek re-election as FIFA president next year. Reports suggest Victor Montagliani, president of CONCACAF, is considering challenging him for the role.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also weighed in, stating that Infantino was “the wrong man to lead the organisation.”

Investment Proposal Linked to Thrive Capital

Under the abandoned proposal, FIFA planned to establish a $20 billion commercial subsidiary named FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to oversee the World Cup and other major tournaments.

According to FIFA, Thrive Eternal, an investment fund managed by Thrive Capital, had been selected to lead the investor group. The company was founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to US President Donald Trump’s daughter.

Infantino and Trump have developed a close working relationship in recent years, particularly with the United States serving as a co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Trump, however, said he had not discussed FIFA’s investment proposal with Infantino.