FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on Saturday, August 1st, 2026, that FIFA has scrapped its plans to sell a stake in the World Cup and other FIFA events to private investors following widespread backlash. The initial proposal aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling about a 20 percent stake in a new unit managing FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

The plan, first revealed on Tuesday, July 29th, 2026, faced strong opposition from regional football confederations, notably the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which expressed being blindsided by the announcement. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa welcomed FIFA's decision to withdraw the plan and emphasized the importance of transparency and proper consultation in future initiatives affecting global football. In a letter posted on the AFC website, Sheikh Salman stated that any initiative with potential impact on global football should be discussed with confederations, the FIFA Council, member associations, and other stakeholders in a timely and meaningful manner.

European football’s governing body UEFA also welcomed the decision, stating it supports withdrawing the plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions into private hands. UEFA has expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership amid the controversy.

Van Damme, representing the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) and a FIFA Council member, reaffirmed commitment to a strong, independent, and sustainable model for international football.

The backlash included internal dissent, with FIFA COO Lamour stating that staff were deceived over the plan, and Infantino’s senior adviser resigning over the controversial proposal.

The overwhelming response to the plan and its subsequent withdrawal highlights ongoing tensions within FIFA and the broader football community regarding governance and the future direction of the sport.

Sources