Infantino’s U‑turn on World Cup stake sale as FIFA faces member revolt after UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF reject plan in a bruising debate

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has scrapped his proposal to sell £3.1 billion of World Cup stakes after UEFA, CONCACAF, the AFC and two senior FIFA officials rejected the plan, the Swiss administrator announced on Friday. The scheme, intended to raise private capital for the commercial and operational aspects of FIFA tournaments, is now dead.

By BOBBY MANZI, FOOTBALL REPORTER. Published: 00:39 BST, 1 August 2026 | Updated: 00:53 BST, 1 August 2026.

On Friday the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) became the third governing body to reject Infantino's plan, following CONCACAF's refusal on Thursday. The AFC's decision added to growing opposition from continental confederations.

FIFA drops controversial World Cup rights sale amid European outcry

At the same time UEFA announced a boycott of FIFA competitions, signalling a coordinated stance against the proposed private‑capital raise. UEFA's move underscores the seriousness of the backlash within European football.

The Swiss football administrator confirmed he has abandoned the proposal to sell £3.1 billion worth of shares in FIFA tournaments to private investors. The plan had aimed to generate private funding for the commercial and operational aspects of FIFA events.

FIFA chief Infantino abandons investor plan for World Cup

In a statement Infantino said: ‘The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our FIFA Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed.’ He added that the project required majority support from FIFA Member Associations and a consultation process with the FIFA Council, the Confederations and wider stakeholders.

Infantino continued: ‘Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place. Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed. Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game.’