FIFA has shelved its controversial proposal to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup and other major competitions to private investors after facing widespread resistance from football stakeholders and threats of a boycott from continental governing bodies.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the decision in a statement posted on Instagram on Saturday, saying the governing body would no longer proceed with the initiative after recognising the divisions it had generated within the football community.
“The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our FIFA Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed,” Infantino said.
He noted that the proposal had always been subject to consultations with FIFA member associations, the FIFA Council, confederations and other key stakeholders.
“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.
“Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed,” he said.
Infantino added that FIFA would continue engaging stakeholders in the coming weeks on alternative ways to expand and develop football, particularly in countries requiring greater support.
The decision follows strong opposition from UEFA, which warned that its member associations could boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions if the proposal was approved. The Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF also rejected the plan and aligned with UEFA’s position.
FIFA had earlier defended the proposal, insisting that “nobody is selling football” and maintaining that the initiative was designed to create additional funding for member associations through a new commercial model.
Former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick had publicly supported the proposal, urging critics to assess it on its merits. Pinnick, who serves as deputy chairperson of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, argued that Infantino’s reforms had consistently benefited member associations and said the plan could provide national football federations with up to $20 million in additional funding alongside FIFA Forward Programme support.
