FIFA Abandons Controversial Private Investment Plan Amid Backlash
FIFA has abandoned plans to allow private investors to purchase stakes in major international football tournaments following significant criticism.
President Gianni Infantino stated that the project had led to a division that “no longer aligns with the original goal.”
“Our goal has always been to unite and develop. Therefore, this project will not be implemented,” he added.
At the end of July, FIFA presented a project aimed at increasing funding for 211 national associations through a new subsidiary structure managing commercial activities and tournaments.
The FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative was designed to monetize what Infantino described as football's “outstanding commercial potential” by attracting outside investors to purchase minority stakes.
Read this article in full and everything else in Telegram, ad-free
Open in TelegramThanks, I just want to finish reading here
FIFA estimated that FFE could attract up to $4.2 billion with an initial capital valuation of $20 billion.
Strong Reactions
The project faced widespread criticism, with many accusing Infantino and FIFA of attempting to “sell” football.
UEFA and its 55 national federations threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments in protest against the scheme, stating that “the World Cup cannot be viewed as an investment product.”
“No national team under UEFA will participate in any FIFA tournaments while these proposals remain in place,” the statement read.
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) also rejected the plan and called for “greater transparency and proper governance.”
This situation has intensified pressure on Infantino, who was elected president in 2016, and led to the resignation of one of his key advisors, Carlos Cordeiro.
FIFA's Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour also sharply criticized the investment project, calling it “a one-person initiative.”
“This project should not be implemented. It is time for football's political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions,” he stated earlier this week.
Infantino has already faced a wave of criticism regarding FIFA's response to various incidents at the 2026 World Cup held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
