FIFA president Gianni Infantino has scrapped his contentious proposal to sell a share of future World Cup earnings to private‑equity investors after a wave of opposition from the sport's governing bodies. The reversal came just days after UEFA publicly announced that it no longer trusted Infantino’s leadership, a position that the English Football Association has also endorsed.
The original scheme, unveiled on a Tuesday, was to launch a new vehicle called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The idea was to bundle the sale of FIFA’s commercial assets—broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, ticketing and licensing—into a single package that would also fund the operational delivery of its tournaments. Infantino gave national 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 reaction was swift and hostile. UEFA, along with the North‑American, Central‑American and Caribbean federation (CONCACAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), condemned the proposal as a breach of football’s governance principles. Even UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham weighed in, urging FIFA to conduct an urgent governance review and describing the withdrawal as "the right decision" on Sky News.
In a statement released in the early hours of Saturday, Infantino explained why the project was being abandoned: "FIFA Forward Enterprise was intended to create a stronger foundation for our member associations and to support football in the regions that need it most. We made it clear from the start that any move would only proceed with a clear majority backing from the associations and after a thorough consultation with the FIFA Council, the confederations and other stakeholders. After listening to the feedback, it became evident that the proposal had created divisions that outweighed any potential benefit. Our purpose has always been to unite and improve the game, and therefore the plan will not move forward.
I will now focus on bringing all interested parties back together to continue growing football worldwide, especially in the countries that need our support the most." Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, AFC president, welcomed the decision on the AFC website, stressing that any initiative with global impact must be discussed transparently with confederations, the FIFA Council and member associations. He added that the future of world football should be shaped through collective dialogue and respect for established governance structures. Sky Sports commentator Kaveh Solhekol captured the mood in the UK: "We have passed the tipping point and are approaching game over for Gianni Infantino. This disaster is self‑inflicted.
There was no need for him to be in the situation he finds himself in today. He is now losing all his authority and his power.
Statements from UEFA and other football bodies are effectively calling for his resignation, even if they do not say it outright. They are saying it is time to go and they no longer believe in him. This is one scandal too many." Solhekol noted that UEFA’s language—"no option off the table"—suggests a search for a new leader. UEFA issued a statement praising FIFA’s retreat and pledging to work with partners to prevent any similar fast‑track schemes in the future.
The statement read: "We thank the fans, leagues, clubs, players, associations and confederations that opposed the scheme, as well as the many prime ministers and heads of state who demonstrated that football is not for sale. Secret, fast‑track deals cooked up by faceless individuals have no place in the game. We must identify those responsible and hold them to account. A thorough, fundamental review will be launched, and no option should be off the table.
The current FIFA leadership has lost UEFA's confidence and that of many others in the football family." The English FA echoed UEFA’s stance, issuing a declaration of “unwavering support” for the European body’s position and calling for a robust review of FIFA’s leadership and governance to ensure transparency for all 211 member nations. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) issued a similar statement, emphasizing that FIFA and its members are custodians of the sport and must prioritize the long‑term growth and sustainability of football. Internal pressure on Infantino grew after senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro resigned, labeling the privatisation plan a "bad deal for football" and "for the long‑term future of the game". In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Cordeiro said he had no involvement in the proposal and opposed it unequivocally.
Another senior official, chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, told the Associated Press that staff felt "deceived" by Infantino’s lack of openness and deserved "better than contempt and intimidation". Lamour described the World Cup plan as "the project of one person" and urged football leaders to act.
The original FFE proposal aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion (£3.1 billion) from external investors by selling minority, non‑controlling stakes in a $20 billion (£15 billion) enterprise. FIFA argued that the funds would generate more than $10 billion in development financing over four years. Critics argued that the scheme would effectively monetise the World Cup, turning a global sporting event into a private investment vehicle.
Speculation about Infantino’s possible successors has already begun. While PSG president Nasser Al‑Khelaifi sits on UEFA’s executive committee, he has reportedly shown no interest in the FIFA presidency.
Former AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who finished second in the 2015 FIFA election, is also mentioned as a potential candidate. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, whose confederation recently hosted the World Cup across three nations, rejected the proposal and could be another contender. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, who advocates a very different vision for football governance, is frequently cited as a popular alternative, though he has not publicly expressed interest in the role. In summary, Infantino’s plan to sell a stake in World Cup revenues has been abandoned after intense backlash from UEFA, other confederations, national associations and even senior FIFA staff.
The episode has sparked calls for a comprehensive governance overhaul, a transparent review of FIFA’s leadership, and a renewed commitment to using existing resources—such as the $5 billion-plus reserves—to support grassroots development across all 211 member nations without resorting to the sale of the sport’s most valuable assets. The situation remains fluid, and the next weeks will likely determine whether Infantino can retain his position or if a new era of football governance will emerge.