FIFA president Gianni Infantino has backed away from a controversial proposal to sell stakes in the governing body's competitions, including the World Cup, after a strong backlash to the idea. The plan had been seen as a major commercial shift for football's biggest tournaments.
According to the report, the proposal would have opened the door for private investors to take a financial interest in FIFA competitions. That sparked widespread opposition, with critics pushing back against the further commercialisation of events that many view as central to the sport's global identity.
Infantino's decision to scrap the plan suggests the resistance was too significant to overcome. The move is likely to be viewed as a retreat by FIFA after concerns grew over how outside investment could affect the future control and direction of its flagship tournaments.
The World Cup remains FIFA's most valuable and closely watched competition, so any attempt to reshape its business model was always likely to draw intense scrutiny. By abandoning the proposal, FIFA appears to be stepping back from a fight that had quickly become one of the sport's most contentious issues.
