FIFA President Gianni Infantino has scrapped his contentious plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private investors, following intense criticism from football's governing bodies. Despite this reversal, UEFA has expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino, with the Football Association supporting UEFA's stance.
FIFA had initially announced plans to launch FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would combine the sale of commercial rights with the operational delivery of its tournaments. However, the proposal was met with fierce opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, prompting Infantino to abandon the plan. In a statement, Infantino stated that the project had created divisions and was no longer in the interest of the sport.
UEFA has welcomed FIFA's decision and will work with partners to ensure that such moves cannot be made without consultation in the future. The Football Association has also declared its support for UEFA's position, calling for a full review of FIFA's leadership and governance. Pressure on Infantino has increased, with one of his senior advisors resigning in protest and a second official criticizing the lack of openness over the plans.
The incident has raised questions about Infantino's future as FIFA president, with potential candidates emerging to replace him.