Infantino Backs Down on World Cup Stake Sale Amid Storm of Criticism
Gianni Infantino has officially shelved his controversial plan to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup to private investors, bowing to a wave of condemnation that swept across football’s global landscape.
In a statement released late Friday, the FIFA president confirmed the proposal—first unveiled Tuesday—will not go ahead. The abrupt U-turn brings an end to a tumultuous week that saw European powers, confederations, and even senior figures within FIFA itself turn against the idea.
Infantino had floated a bold vision: creating a $20 billion entity to manage the World Cup, with private equity backing including the Kushner family. But the plan was met with instant backlash. UEFA slammed it as a betrayal of football’s soul, while CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation voiced strong opposition. The reaction from Europe was particularly fierce—several nations threatened to pull out of FIFA competitions if the move went ahead.
UEFA issued a scathing statement, declaring a “loss of confidence” in Infantino’s leadership. Meanwhile, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al Khalifa took to the confederation’s website to condemn the proposal as a dangerous departure from football’s values.
The internal fallout was just as damaging. Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino’s senior adviser, resigned immediately, calling the plan “a bad deal for football.” Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer, went further, accusing the president of misleading staff and describing the initiative as “a project of one man.”
As pressure mounted daily, the momentum behind the proposal crumbled. By Friday, the writing was on the wall—and Infantino conceded defeat.
The swift reversal stands as one of the most significant rebukes to Infantino’s leadership since he took charge of FIFA. Yet, the statement announcing the withdrawal offered no alternative vision for the future of the World Cup’s commercial model. FIFA remains silent on the rifts exposed by the episode, leaving the future of football’s flagship tournament hanging in uncertainty.