How global backlash, UEFA boycott threat forced FIFA to abandon World Cup investment plan

FIFA scraps its World Cup investment plan after a global backlash and UEFA boycott threats. Learn how the controversy unfolded and forced FIFA’s hand.

FIFA has scrapped their World Cup plansRob Freeman and Jamie Gardner Press Association08:44, 01 Aug 2026Gianni Infantino(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)FIFA "will not proceed" with proposals to sell stakes in a company which would oversee the commercial and operational elements of its tournaments, a statement from pres

Dylan Martinez / REUTERS FIFA has abandoned a widely criticized plan to sell a stake in the World Cup’s commercial operations after worldwide outrage over a proposal tied to President Donald Trump’s inner circle. Trump pal and FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed earlier this week that the organization planned to s

Fifa president Gianni Infantino is facing considerable pressure after his controversial plan collapsed

FIFA vows to continue with consultations on a proposed private investment plan despite industry pledges to boycott the World Cup if the sale continues.

After UEFA threatened Thursday to boycott the World Cup over FIFA’s private equity proposal, FIFA appears ready to stand and fight.

'Nobody is selling football': Fifa presses ahead with investment plan despite boycott threats  ITVX

UEFA’s World Cup Boycott Threat Shows Infantino Overplayed His Hand  Forbes

"We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each member association has the ability to express its vote based on facts."

European football's governing body has voted to boycott FIFA if World Cup plans pursued, but global body undeterred.

FIFA says it will continue to pursue its controversial investor plans despite opposition from regional football confederations in Europe, Asia and North America. "Nobody is selling football," the body insists.

'Nobody is selling football!' FIFA doubles down on private investment plans despite World Cup boycott threat  GB News

FIFA vowed on Friday to press ahead with an "open and democratic" consultation on a proposed private investment plan, despite widespread opposition to the proposal.

‘Our planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports’ - FIFA statement

FIFA have issued a defiant statement insisting "nobody is selling football" after UEFA threatened to boycott the World Cup over the association's plans to sell stakes in a World Cup commercial entity to private investors

3 min readJul 31, 2026 09:29 AM IST FIFA plans to create a semi-private subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to sell minority, non-controlling stakes in the business operations of the World Cup and other tournaments. (AP)CONCACAF, the governing body for football in North America, Central America, and the Caribbea

European nations agreed Thursday to boycott the World Cup and all other FIFA competitions to protest Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in soccer’s biggest tournament to private equity investors. The North American soccer body rejected his plan later the same day.

North America's soccer body on Thursday rejected FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors, joining European nations in opposition.

The KNVB said it opposes FIFA's plans to further commercialize the World Cup, reaffirming its position after a UEFA meeting.

FIFA has faced backlash from global soccer governing bodies over the proposal to allow private investment.

The 55 UEFA members are in favor of the boycott as a tense situation continues to unfold

UEFA vows to boycott all FIFA competitions over private investment plan  USA Today

The governing body's plan welcoming investors to purchase World Cup-related commercial rights has drawn criticism from around the world.

Gianni Infantino's plan sell off aspects of the game's best assets has its first true adversary, as the European governing body issues a strong warning of future action if the plan remains under consideration.

Fifa boss Gianni Infantino is a man of many ideas. His latest and most controversial yet is the proposal to invite external investors to claim a stake in the global soccer federation, with a company linked to US President Donald Trump leading the process.

A major row has erupted between football’s governing bodies after FIFA confirmed plans to seek private investment in commercial rights linked to the world cup. UEFA reacted sharply, accusing FIFA of crossing a line and warning that European nations are prepared to discuss a potential boycott if Gianni Infantino pushes

GenevaAP —  FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to create a $20 billion company running the World Cup with private investors, including the Kushner family, was announced Tuesday — and immediately attacked by European soccer body UEFA. “It is not FIFA’s to sell,” UEFA said in a statement. “None of us are the owners o

‘Damaged’ Gianni Infantino tipped to back down after UEFA’s threat to boycott World Cup  talkSPORT

Casey Wasserman is one step closer to selling his agency. Providence Equity Partners today announced an additional investment in The Team (formerly Wasserman) to help the agency buy out its founder. Michael Watts will become the agency’s chief executive officer when the transaction closes. That is expected later this y