The planet's most powerful football administrator Gianni Infantino on Saturday yielded to the international collective when he pulled the plug on a plan to allow private investment in the World Cup. His proposals for world football's governing body Fifa to reform its commercial operations had sparked a furious backlash.
Issued on: 01/08/2026 - 13:41
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The setback to his authority came less than two weeks after the 56-year-old declared the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada as the most successful tournament in its 96-year history. Infantino's fall from the crest took place over five days. Tuesday The British newspaper The Times breaks the story. European football's governing body Uefa issues a statement: "None of us are the owners of football. It is not Fifa's to sell." Fifa, having issued a "no comment" to The Times, reveals details of the plan saying: "It would retain a majority share in Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE)" but hoped to raise €3.64 billion later this year by "carefully selecting long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests". Wednesday If Infantino had been hoping for reassurance from other confederations he was to be disappointed. Concacaf, Central and North American football's governing body – which includes the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup – said it was deeply concerned at having not been consulted. "We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place," read the Concacaf statement. The Asian Football Confederation expressed its disappointment at not being informed of the plans. Various media outlets reported Infantino had sent a letter to Fifa's member associations saying they will each receive €34 million if they back the plan but they must sign up by 19 September. Fifa boss Infantino scraps plan to sell off World Cup profits to private equity "Fans from everywhere in the world would gain immeasurably from this game-changing potential because it will transform football in their countries," said Infantino on Wednesday in a video. Thursday Infantino's video message fails to stem the anger. European football's ruling body issues a statement saying its 55 members, which included World Cup winners Spain as well as semi-finalists England and France, say they will boycott all Fifa competitions. "No Uefa national teams will participate in any Fifa competition for so long as these proposals remain alive," read Uefa's statement. Infantino took a further hit when Concacaf's 41 members unanimously rejected the proposal. Friday Seemingly impervious to the mounting criticism and shrugging aside Uefa's threat of a boycott, Fifa ploughed on. It released a statement blaming media misreporting of the proposals. "Nobody is selling football," Fifa said in the statement. "This is not something Fifa would ever entertain. "We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation," the statement added. Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino's special advisor on the White House task force for the 2026 World Cup, resigns. France and England bosses say squads will take World Cup play off seriously "Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally," said the former investment banker and ex-head of the US Soccer Federation in his resignation letter. "It is a bad deal for Fifa's member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game." The AFC also chipped in offering little succour to the increasingly beleaguered Infantino. "The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a Fifa World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game," said the AFC. South America's governing body, Conmebol, issued a statement saying it had requested additional information and clarifications about the proposals. Saturday Infantino admitted defeat. "Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve," Infantino said in a statement. "As a result, this proposal will not proceed." (With newswires)
