FIFA president Gianni Infantino says FIFA is abandoning a proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors. Multiple outlets report FIFA has cancelled the plan after it draws sustained criticism from football bodies worldwide, with Infantino saying the project created divisions and no longer aligns with FIFA’s stated objective.

The reporting also places the decision in a wider context of football governance disputes. Several outlets describe strong opposition from confederations and federations, including UEFA, which said it would boycott FIFA tournaments if the proposal proceeded. Other coverage highlights that the idea is not the first time Infantino has pursued private-sector investment in football assets, and notes that the plan was discussed alongside broader commercial and organizational rights.

Outlets differ mainly in emphasis: some focus on the scale and political fallout of the backlash, while others focus on FIFA’s stated rationale for stopping and what happens next. Collectively, the sources agree that FIFA’s sell-off approach has been dropped following days of turmoil involving stakeholders, governments, and fans.