FIFA President Gianni Infantino has abandoned plans to sell stakes in a new company that would have managed the commercial and operational aspects of the men's and women's World Cups after facing strong opposition from football organizations, clubs and former officials.
The proposal would have created a new entity, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise, in which private investors could purchase shares. Critics argued that such a move would give outside investors significant influence over the future of the World Cup, including decisions on how often the tournament is held and how many teams participate. Opponents described the proposal as an attempt to sell the "soul of football" to private interests.
The plan was rejected by three continental confederations. UEFA, whose 55 member associations include Bulgaria, warned that it would boycott FIFA events if the proposal moved forward. CONCACAF, representing North America, Central America and the Caribbean, and the Asian Football Confederation also opposed the initiative, calling for an "urgent review" of FIFA's governance and decision-making structure. South America's CONMEBOL requested additional information after learning of the proposal through media reports.
