FIFA President Gianni Infantino clarified that the proposal to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup is optional, not mandatory. He emphasised that the plan remains under discussion, addressing concerns over investment, commercial partnerships, and the tournament's long-term financial strategy.

The proposal has been widely criticized, with European soccer's governing body UEFA saying it "crosses a line."

The new initiative is the second time Infantino has attempted to privatise football assets, with the first being in 2018 where the FIFA chief proposed a multi-billion dollar…