FIFA scraps plan to sell World Cup stake after backlash
The proposal collapsed after member associations, UEFA, AFC and European leagues said the process lacked transparency.
FIFA has scrapped plans to sell a stake in its flagship competitions, including the World Cup, through the FIFA Forward Enterprise project after facing broad opposition from member associations, confederations and football stakeholders. The body said the project was originally designed to strengthen its 211 member associations and support the development of football, especially in countries needing greater backing. But after consultations with the FIFA Council and other parties, FIFA said the proposal had instead caused division and no longer aligned with its original goal. Earlier, UEFA, European Leagues and AFC criticized the proposal as lacking transparency and as potentially opening the door for private investors into the World Cup's commercial interests. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to continue talks in the coming days and weeks.