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    FIFA have abandoned its controversial proposal to sell minority stakes in its competitions to private investors after widespread opposition from football’s governing bodies forced a reversal.

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the decision, saying the proposal would not move forward after it became clear it was creating divisions across the global game.

    “It had become clear the project had created divisions that are no longer in the interest of its original objective.

    “As a result, this proposal will not proceed.”

    Opposition forces FIFA U-turn

    The proposal would have allowed private investors to acquire minority stakes in a commercial entity managing FIFA’s flagship competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.

    FIFA withdraws private investment proposal after backlash
    FIFA president Gianni Infantino withdraws controversial private investment proposal – Getty image

    FIFA had also offered its 211 member associations up to $40 million in funding if they backed the plan.

    However, resistance quickly gathered momentum. UEFA announced it would boycott FIFA World Cups if the proposal was implemented, while Concacaf formally rejected the initiative.

    The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also declared its support for UEFA and Concacaf, leaving the proposal without enough backing to succeed.

    With UEFA’s 55 votes, Concacaf’s 35 and the AFC’s 46, at least 136 member associations were expected to oppose the plan, well above the number needed to block its approval.

    Pressure mounts on Infantino

    The controversy has increased pressure on Infantino ahead of FIFA’s presidential election at the FIFA Congress next March.

    The proposal also triggered internal fallout within FIFA. Chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said the governing body’s administration had been “deceived” over the project, while senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, describing the proposal as “a bad deal for football” that would “mortgage football’s future.”

    Following the withdrawal, Infantino pledged to rebuild unity within world football.

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

    “Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game.”

    AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa welcomed the decision, stressing that football’s future should be guided through consultation, collective dialogue and established governance structures.

    The withdrawal marks a significant setback for Infantino after one of the strongest coordinated oppositions to a FIFA proposal in recent years.

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