Paris (France) (AFP) – FIFA's plans to sell a stake in the business operations of the World Cup and its other competitions through the creation of a semi-private subsidiary has sparked disbelief and outrage globally.
Issued on: 29/07/2026 - 12:44
3 min Reading time
AFP Sport highlights the pick of the reaction:Sporting"The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade -- especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell."-- European football's governing body UEFA."We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process."-- CONCACAF, which governs North and Central American football and three of whose members, the USA, Canada and Mexico, co-hosted the World Cup.
The vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB), Hans-Joachim Watzke (R), says FIFA's plans are an attack on football © John MACDOUGALL / AFP/File
