FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s position remains under scrutiny on Saturday (Aug 1) despite scrapping plans to allow private investment in the World Cup. UEFA, the European football governing body, led the opposition, also backed by FAs worldwide, saying they would boycott all FIFA competitions, including the showpiece event, should the deal go ahead. While welcoming the proposal’s withdrawal, UEFA claimed that Infantino had lost their and other football family members' ‘confidence’ with his ‘shabby, back-room, opaque deal’.&nbsp;After first revealing the plan to the world on Tuesday, Infantino, whose smooth path to unopposed re-election for a final term next year is being openly questioned, issued a statement backing down following severe global backlash.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/chelsea-fa-fine-suspended-transfer-ban-points-deduction-appeal-1785511480592">Chelsea escape points deduction but face fine, two-window transfer ban for rule breach</a> &nbsp;"Our purpose has always been -- and will always be -- to unite and improve," Infantino said in a statement. "As a result, this proposal will not proceed." &nbsp;The FIFA president floated the idea of forming a new firm called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to run marquee tournaments like the World Cup and the Club World Cup, and planned to sell some of its shares to private investors to raise $4.2 billion in cash. Infantino’s idea was to convince all 211 FAs to agree to sign up for it, while promising an upfront bonus of a $20 million payout in early 2027.&nbsp; &nbsp;UEFA and other associations slammed this idea, and did not mince their words in holding Infantino to account for the debacle just weeks after he basked in the afterglow of a highly successful World Cup -- the first with 48 teams and hosted in three countries. &nbsp;"The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA's confidence but also that of many other members of the football family," read the statement. &nbsp;UEFA accused the 56-year-old Swiss of breaking promises he made, namely to be "transparent" and that FIFA's money was "your (the member associations) money" and "not the money of the FIFA President." &nbsp;"On both these promises, he has failed to deliver," said UEFA. "The shabby, back-room, opaque deal he hatched and tried to force through were anything but transparent. &nbsp;"And with reserves standing at over $5bn, he has also failed to use associations' money for the benefit of the game." &nbsp;Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which represents 47 member nations, said that any initiative that may impact global football should be "presented and discussed with the Confederations, the FIFA Council, Member Associations (MAs) and other stakeholders in a timely, transparent and meaningful manner.”&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces a severe crisis as UEFA declares it has lost confidence in his leadership despite his decision to drop a $4.2B World Cup private investment plan.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s position remains under scrutiny on Saturday (Aug 1) despite scrapping plans to allow private investment in the World Cup. UEFA, the European football governing body, led the opposition, also backed by FAs worldwide, saying they would boycott all FIFA competitions, including the showpiece event, should the deal go ahead. While welcoming the proposal’s withdrawal, UEFA claimed that Infantino had lost their and other football family members' ‘confidence’ with his ‘shabby, back-room, opaque deal’. After first revealing the plan to the world on Tuesday, Infantino, whose smooth path to unopposed re-election for a final term next year is being openly questioned, issued a statement backing down following severe global backlash. Also read| Chelsea escape points deduction but face fine, two-window transfer ban for rule breach "Our purpose has always been -- and will always be -- to unite and improve," Infantino said in a statement. "As a result, this proposal will not proceed." The FIFA president floated the idea of forming a new firm called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to run marquee tournaments like the World Cup and the Club World Cup, and planned to sell some of its shares to private investors to raise $4.2 billion in cash. Infantino’s idea was to convince all 211 FAs to agree to sign up for it, while promising an upfront bonus of a $20 million payout in early 2027. UEFA and other associations slammed this idea, and did not mince their words in holding Infantino to account for the debacle just weeks after he basked in the afterglow of a highly successful World Cup -- the first with 48 teams and hosted in three countries. "The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA's confidence but also that of many other members of the football family," read the statement. UEFA accused the 56-year-old Swiss of breaking promises he made, namely to be "transparent" and that FIFA's money was "your (the member associations) money" and "not the money of the FIFA President." "On both these promises, he has failed to deliver," said UEFA. "The shabby, back-room, opaque deal he hatched and tried to force through were anything but transparent. "And with reserves standing at over $5bn, he has also failed to use associations' money for the benefit of the game." Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which represents 47 member nations, said that any initiative that may impact global football should be "presented and discussed with the Confederations, the FIFA Council, Member Associations (MAs) and other stakeholders in a timely, transparent and meaningful manner.” (With inputs from AFP)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces a severe crisis as UEFA declares it has lost confidence in his leadership despite his decision to drop a $4.2B World Cup private investment plan.

FIFA lose 'UEFA’s confidence' despite shelving World Cup private investment plan

FIFA has received massive backlash over its latest proposal to sell off part of its World Cup business to private investors, with UEFA, AFC and the English FA coming down hard on football’s governing body. On Tuesday, FIFA said it would retain a majority share in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) but hoped to raise $4.2 billion later this year by 'carefully selecting long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests'. Several reports suggest that the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, also sent a letter to all associations, saying that they will pocket $40 million for backing this plan, but must sign up by September 19.&nbsp;"In total for the upcoming cycle starting as of January 1, 2027, each member association will have the possibility of access up to $40 million per member association under this proposal," said Infantino. &nbsp;The Times, which broke the story first on Tuesday, said the sources opposed the plan and labelled it ‘pure bribery’. While UEFA issued a blunt statement regarding this proposed plan and was due to hold an emergency meeting later on Wednesday, the English FA and Asian football body condemned this idea, fearing the worst for the most-loved global sport.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bayern-munich-ceo-dreesen-dismisses-olise-diaz-transfer-rumors-kane-update-1785251283549">Look Away Real Madrid Fans: Bayern CEO dismisses Olise transfer, brands Diaz sale ‘Foolish’</a> &nbsp;"Many in European football see FIFA's plans as an outright attack on football. I share this view. A line has been crossed here," Hans-Joachim Watzke, a vice-president of UEFA's executive committee, told Germany's Kicker.<h2>‘None of Us Are Owners of Football’</h2>UEFA, which has regularly criticised Infantino, said the plan "crosses a line". &nbsp;"The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade -- especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell." &nbsp;The European Union made no bones about its disdain for the plan. &nbsp;"Hands off our game," Glenn Micallef, the EU commissioner for Sport, posted on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This isn’t baseball. The <a href="https://x.com/FIFAcom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIFAcom</a> World Cup remains the greatest sporting tournament on the planet, despite FIFA exploiting every commercial opportunity. But enough is enough. The relentless commercialisation of football has become corrosive. It’s threatening the things that…&mdash; Glenn Micallef (@GlennMicallef) <a href="https://x.com/GlennMicallef/status/2082388125960094017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

On the other hand, CONCACAF, which governs North and Central American football, said it was "deeply concerned by the lack of due process". The Asian Football Confederation also said it was "disappointed" it had not been consulted.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Concacaf Statement Regarding the Proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise &quot;Concacaf was only made aware of this matter through media reports and, subsequently, via a media release. We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process. We share the disappointment of many within our…&mdash; Concacaf Media (@ConcacafMedia) <a href="https://x.com/ConcacafMedia/status/2082375612732166168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, the plan would still have to be approved by the 38-member FIFA Council and the majority of its 211 member associations (MAs). FIFA said it intends to present the plans to the council soon.

UEFA, the English FA, and global football bodies condemn FIFA’s controversial proposal to sell a stake in its World Cup commercial operations to private investors. Read full details and reactions.

FIFA has received massive backlash over its latest proposal to sell off part of its World Cup business to private investors, with UEFA, AFC and the English FA coming down hard on football’s governing body. On Tuesday, FIFA said it would retain a majority share in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) but hoped to raise $4.2 billion later this year by 'carefully selecting long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests'. Several reports suggest that the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, also sent a letter to all associations, saying that they will pocket $40 million for backing this plan, but must sign up by September 19. "In total for the upcoming cycle starting as of January 1, 2027, each member association will have the possibility of access up to $40 million per member association under this proposal," said Infantino. The Times, which broke the story first on Tuesday, said the sources opposed the plan and labelled it ‘pure bribery’. While UEFA issued a blunt statement regarding this proposed plan and was due to hold an emergency meeting later on Wednesday, the English FA and Asian football body condemned this idea, fearing the worst for the most-loved global sport. Also read| Look Away Real Madrid Fans: Bayern CEO dismisses Olise transfer, brands Diaz sale ‘Foolish’ "Many in European football see FIFA's plans as an outright attack on football. I share this view. A line has been crossed here," Hans-Joachim Watzke, a vice-president of UEFA's executive committee, told Germany's Kicker. ‘None of Us Are Owners of Football’ UEFA, which has regularly criticised Infantino, said the plan "crosses a line". "The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade -- especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell." The European Union made no bones about its disdain for the plan. "Hands off our game," Glenn Micallef, the EU commissioner for Sport, posted on X.

UEFA, the English FA, and global football bodies condemn FIFA’s controversial proposal to sell a stake in its World Cup commercial operations to private investors. Read full details and reactions.

Plan 'crossed the line': FIFA faces backlash over proposal to sell part of World Cup business

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FIFA lose 'UEFA’s confidence' despite shelving World Cup private investment plan

FIFA faces backlash over proposal to sell part of World Cup business