Fifa Scraps Private Investment Plan Amid Widespread Opposition

Fifa President Gianni Infantino has withdrawn a controversial plan to sell stakes in the organization's major competitions to private investors following significant backlash from football's governing bodies and officials. The proposal, which aimed to generate substantial funding, had become a divisive issue, prompting Infantino to acknowledge that it was no longer aligned with its original objectives.

Infantino had offered Fifa's 211 member associations $40 million each if they supported the plan to bring private equity into its tournaments, including the men's and women's World Cups. However, the scheme faced immediate and strong opposition. UEFA, the governing body for European football, threatened a boycott of World Cups if the proposal proceeded, with other confederations and senior figures also voicing their disapproval.

Plan's Demise and Key Opposition

The proposal's unraveling was swift, with several major football confederations publicly rejecting it. Concacaf, representing North, Central America, and the Caribbean, stated its members had "rejected" the plan, with sources indicating a loss of faith in Infantino among many of its associations. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) declared solidarity with UEFA and Concacaf, further isolating the Fifa president.

Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino's senior advisor on global strategy and governance, resigned over the matter, calling the proposal "a bad deal for football" that would "mortgage football's future." He explicitly stated he had no involvement in the proposal and "unequivocally" opposed it, questioning the need for outside investors to "unlock greater value."

Fifa's Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Lamour, admitted that the administration had been "deceived" about the project, describing it as "the project of one person" that had the opposite effect of uniting the organization. He expressed his willingness to lose his job over his stance.

Financial Stakes and Investor Interest

The plan, outlined by investment bank JP Morgan, envisioned creating a commercial subsidiary, potentially named Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage its main events. This subsidiary would invite minority, non-controlling investments from external parties, with the ambition of raising an estimated $10 billion. A document projected an increased payout of 24 million euros per member association in the 2035-2039 cycle through "new business initiatives" and attracting top talent.

Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of former President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared, was expected to lead the investor group. While Trump stated he had not spoken to Infantino about the plans, his close relationship with the Fifa president, which has reportedly strengthened since Trump's second term began in 2025, added another layer of political intrigue.

Infantino had set a deadline of September 19 for federations to accept the plans to access an initial $20 million payout. However, the widespread opposition made securing the necessary majority of at least 106 out of 211 member associations increasingly unlikely.

Infantino's Re-election Bid Under Pressure

This significant setback comes as Infantino seeks re-election for a fourth term as Fifa president at the upcoming Fifa Congress in March. Prior to this controversy, he was widely anticipated to be re-elected unopposed. The strong opposition from major confederations, including UEFA and Concacaf, and the resignation of a senior advisor, raises questions about his support base and leadership.

African (CAF) and Oceanian (OFC) governing bodies had planned to discuss the proposal in August, while CONMEBOL, the South American confederation, sought further clarification. The AFC's statement highlighted a broader concern, suggesting the issue exposed "fundamental weaknesses in Fifa's consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed."

Infantino, in a statement, reiterated his intention to "unite and improve" and bring parties together to discuss the future of the game. However, the events of the past week have undoubtedly created a significant challenge for him to rebuild trust and mend divisions within the global football community as he navigates his re-election campaign.

Infantino has previously used social media to address criticism, posting on Instagram for his critics to "meditate, pray or watch a football match" rather than "spreading hate and false rumours."