FIFA has retracted its controversial proposal to sell a 20% stake in a new unit managing its events, including the World Cup, after facing fierce resistance from member associations like UEFA.
The plan, aiming to raise $4.2 billion and valuing the unit at $20 billion, was abandoned by FIFA President Gianni Infantino due to “divisions.” This internal and external backlash, including a resignation from a senior adviser and criticism from a British Prime Minister, forced FIFA to prioritize unity over the contentious investment.
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In a significant reversal, FIFA announced Friday it would abandon its ambitious plan to sell a portion of its extensive business operations to external investors. The move comes after the controversial proposal sparked intense opposition from several member associations, including Europe's powerful governing body, UEFA.
The scrapped initiative aimed to secure up to $4.2 billion by divesting approximately a 20% stake in a newly formed entity dedicated to managing FIFA's premier events, notably the highly lucrative World Cup. This valuation would have positioned the new unit at an impressive $20 billion.
Gianni Infantino, president of the Federation International Football Association (FIFA), at the Semafor World Economy Summit during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring meetings in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Aaron Schwartz | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Unveiled just days prior, the proposal was met with immediate and strong condemnation from UEFA, which not only threatened a boycott but also publicly accused FIFA of attempting to monetize the very "soul" of football.
"After carefully considering all perspectives, it has become evident that this project has generated divisions of a magnitude that, irrespective of any potential support, no longer serve the initial objective," stated FIFA President Gianni Infantino. He further added, "Our fundamental goal has always been, and will remain, to foster unity and advancement. Consequently, this proposal will not proceed."
The controversy had already led to internal upheaval, with Infantino's senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, resigning earlier on Friday. Cordeiro explicitly labeled the plan "a bad deal for football." Furthermore, FIFA's Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour accused Infantino of deceiving staff, characterizing the proposal as "a project of one person."
Adding to the pressure, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham publicly expressed his view, telling reporters that Infantino was "the wrong man to lead the organization." The decision marks a significant setback for FIFA's financial ambitions and highlights the power dynamics within global football governance.
