Infantino World Cup ownership plan meets CONMEBOL’s demand for answers

Gianni Infantino’s proposal to let private investors own the World Cup has ignited a clash with CONMEBOL, the South American Football governing body, which has opened a public debate questioning whether commercial interests should dictate football’s premier tournament and sparking calls for answers from its member federations.

The plan, outlined by Infantino, would allow private investors to own the World Cup, raising concerns about the influence of commercial motives on football’s flagship event.

In a statement titled Football First, CONMEBOL announced it has launched consultations with its ten member federations and scheduled a Council meeting to examine the proposal in depth.

Alejandro Domínguez, CONMEBOL’s president, said the organisation has formally requested FIFA to provide detailed information on the plan’s scope, structure, governance and possible consequences.

The body stressed that while financial decisions are part of football’s development, they must always serve the game and never replace its essence, urging a cautious approach and institutional dialogue.

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CONMEBOL also called on the entire football family to show unity amid growing divisions, noting that UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if the project proceeds and CONCACAF, representing North America, has already rejected it.

The Asian Football Confederation expressed solidarity with the European and North American positions, while the African (CAF) and Oceania (OFC) confederations have convened meetings to assess the proposal before finalising their stances.

According to Brazil’s Globo, the Brazilian Football Confederation is leaning toward rejecting the Infantino‑backed initiative, adding another layer of opposition within South America.

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CONMEBOL now awaits FIFA’s response to its information request, with the upcoming Council meeting set to decide how the South American Council will proceed on the World Cup ownership issue.

The contrast between the commercial ambition of the Infantino World Cup proposal and CONMEBOL’s demand for detailed information sets the agenda for the forthcoming Council meeting, where the South American federation will determine its stance on the ownership model.