FIFA drops controversial World Cup rights sale amid European outcry

FIFA announced it has abandoned the plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the WK after intense push‑back from the football community. The decision follows a wave of criticism that began with reports in the Amerikaanse krant The New York Post.

According to The New York Post, the proposal sank under felle weerstand vanuit de Europese voetbalwereld and growing verdeeldheid binnen de top of the world governing body. The newspaper said the plan faced opposition from both clubs and national associations.

FIFA later confirmed the cancellation via its official social‑media channels. “The project has created division that, regardless of the level of support, no longer serves the original purpose,” the federation stated, adding that the proposal will not progress.

Stel in als je Google-favorietVolgens the New York Post, the investment firm of Amerikaanse ondernemer Joshua Kushner, brother‑in‑law of President Donald Trump, was also linked to the scheme. Kushner’s involvement was cited as a factor that heightened scrutiny. The report highlighted the connection between the US investor and the proposed sale.

Four sources told the newspaper that the deal is definitively off the table. These insiders confirmed that negotiations have been halted and no further steps will be taken.

The plan triggered sharp criticism within UEFA. The 55 aangesloten nationale bonden spoke out on Thursday, threatening to boycott FIFA tournaments and calling the proposal undemocratic. Critics argued that core commercial activities should not be handed to external investors.

Donald Trump has publicly denied any conversations with Gianni Infantino about FIFA’s commercialisation plans. The former president’s statement adds another layer to the controversy surrounding the aborted deal.

The contrast between the initial ambition to monetise WK rights and the subsequent backlash underscores the growing tension between FIFA’s commercial goals and the football community’s demand for democratic control. Ook, as the saga shows, future commercial experiments will face heightened scrutiny, Van past scandals to present challenges.