FIFA drops World Cup stake sale after backlash from UEFA and others
What's next: The retreat deepens pressure on Gianni Infantino as critics question why cash-rich FIFA sought outside investors.
FIFA has pulled back from a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other major competitions after fierce resistance from UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation. Gianni Infantino said the proposal had created divisions that were no longer in the interest of its original aim: raising more money for FIFA’s 211 member associations. Critics argued FIFA already has record revenues and multibillion-dollar reserves, weakening the case for private capital. The debate also revived scrutiny of how development money is used, with concerns that some past funds were poorly monitored or failed to reach grassroots football.