FIFA president Gianni Infantino has scrapped his contentious proposal to sell a share of future World Cup revenues to private‑equity investors after receiving sharp criticism from the sport's governing bodies. The reversal comes at a time when UEFA has publicly declared that it no longer trusts Infantino, a sentiment echoed by the English Football Association and other national federations. Earlier this week FIFA announced the launch of a new commercial venture called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The initiative was designed to bundle the organisation's commercial rights—broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing—into a single package that would also handle the operational delivery of its tournaments.
Infantino gave member associations a deadline of 19 September to endorse the plan, sweetening the offer with a £30.1 million incentive for those who voted in favour. The proposal was met with immediate and fierce opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Even UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham weighed in, urging FIFA to conduct an urgent governance review and describing the retreat as "the right decision" on Sky News.
In a statement released in the early hours of Saturday, Infantino explained that the FFE project was intended to strengthen FIFA’s member associations and to support football in regions that need it most. He added that the plan was always meant to proceed only with a clear majority backing from the member associations and after a thorough consultation with the FIFA Council, confederations and other stakeholders.
"After listening to the feedback, it became evident that the project was creating divisions that threatened the original purpose of uniting and improving the game," he wrote. "Therefore the proposal will not move forward. I intend to bring all interested parties back together in the coming weeks to continue growing football worldwide, especially in the nations that need our help the most." Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the AFC, welcomed the decision on the AFC website, stressing that any initiative with global impact must be discussed transparently with confederations, the FIFA Council, member associations and other stakeholders. He warned that the future of world football should be shaped through collective dialogue and respect for established governance structures.
Sky Sports commentator Kaveh Solhekol summed up the atmosphere, saying, "We have passed the tipping point and are approaching game over for Gianni Infantino. This whole disaster has been self‑inflicted. He is losing all authority and support, and the statements from UEFA and other bodies read like a call for his resignation, even if they do not name it outright." UEFA issued a statement praising FIFA’s abandonment of the plan and pledging to work with partners and stakeholders to prevent any similar fast‑track schemes in the future. The federation thanked fans, leagues, clubs, players, national associations, confederations and political leaders for demonstrating that "football is not for sale".
UEFA warned that secretive, rapid‑track deals orchestrated by unnamed individuals are unacceptable and promised a thorough review of the episode, stating that no option should be ruled out and that FIFA’s leadership has lost the confidence of UEFA and many other members of the football family. The English FA echoed UEFA’s stance, declaring full support for the European body’s position and calling for a robust review of FIFA’s leadership and governance. The FA emphasised that the global game must be run transparently for the benefit of all 211 member nations and that long‑term stewardship of football should be at the heart of any decision‑making process.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) also backed the call for a comprehensive review, noting that FIFA and its members act as custodians of the sport and must prioritise its long‑term growth, development and sustainability. The controversy intensified after senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, labeling the privatisation plan a "bad deal for football" and detrimental to the sport’s future. In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Cordeiro, a former banker and lifelong football fan, said he had no involvement in the proposal and opposed it unequivocally. Another senior official, chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, accused the organisation’s staff of being "deceived" by Infantino’s lack of openness, telling the Associated Press that employees deserve better than "contempt and intimidation".
Lamour described the World Cup plan as "the project of one person" and urged football leaders to act. Under the original FFE blueprint, FIFA aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion (£3.1 billion) from external investors by selling minority, non‑controlling stakes in a vehicle valued at roughly $20 billion (£15 billion). The governing body claimed the funds would generate more than $10 billion in development financing over four years, contingent on approval from member associations. Speculation about potential successors to Infantino has also surfaced.
While Paris Saint‑Germain president Nasser Al‑Khelaifi, a powerful figure on the UEFA executive committee, is not reportedly interested in the role, other names have been mentioned. Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who finished second in the 2016 FIFA presidential election, remains a vocal opponent of the sell‑off. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, despite historically close ties with Infantino, also rejected the proposal. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, known for his distinct vision of football governance, is seen as a popular alternative, though he has not publicly expressed any desire to replace Infantino.
In summary, the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan marks a significant setback for Infantino’s agenda and a triumph for those who argue that football should remain a public good, not a commodity. UEFA, the FA, the FAW and numerous confederations have pledged to pursue a thorough review of FIFA’s leadership, governance structures and financial practices.
The episode underscores the growing demand for transparency, collective decision‑making and the protection of football’s integrity at the highest levels.