Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced on August 1, 2026, that the governing body has abandoned its controversial plan to sell stakes in its major competitions, including the men's and women's World Cups, to private investors. Infantino stated the project had "created divisions" that were "no longer in the interest" of its original objective, leading to the decision that "this proposal will not proceed."

The proposal had offered Fifa's 211 member associations $40 million (£30 million) to support private investment in its tournaments. However, the plan faced significant opposition. Concacaf, the confederation governing football in North, Central America, and the Caribbean—which also hosted the 2026 World Cup—said its members "rejected" the proposal. Sources indicated that the majority of associations in the region are losing or have lost faith in Infantino.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) expressed solidarity with Uefa and Concacaf in opposing the plan. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham publicly stated that Infantino was "the wrong man" to lead Fifa.

South America's governing body, Conmebol, requested additional information and clarifications from Fifa regarding the "scope, structure, governance and possible effects" of the proposals.

Adding to the controversy, Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino's senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned over the matter, describing the proposal critically. On August 1, Fifa's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said the governing body's own administration had been "deceived" about the project.

Gianni Infantino has been Fifa president since February 2016.

Sources