FIFA initially said it would move forward with consultations on a proposal by President Gianni Infantino to involve private investors in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup and other competitions. The plan would create or use a semi-private subsidiary to house commercial rights, with reports describing a minority stake—such as 20%—available to private investors. The proposal triggered widespread criticism and opposition from football governance bodies, including UEFA, which threatened non-participation or a boycott of FIFA events. Other regional confederations and member stakeholders also rejected the idea, raising concerns about private equity involvement in sports.
Facing the backlash, FIFA later announced it is shelving the plan. Several outlets report that FIFA cancels or scraps the private investment proposal after statements of non-participation from organizations in Europe, Asia and North America. In response to the controversy, FIFA issued a rebuttal to criticism and, according to one report, pointed to the role of media coverage. Across coverage, the dispute is framed as part of a longer power struggle over control of global football’s commercial revenues.
