FIFA's controversial plan to sell a stake in the World Cup's commercial operations has drawn widespread criticism, with opposition growing from key football confederations and former national team officials. The proposal, led by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, aims to raise up to $20 billion through private investment, but has been met with fierce resistance from UEFA and other stakeholders (espn.com.au).
The plan, which involves selling a 20% stake in World Cup revenue, has been condemned as a potential threat to the integrity of international competitions. Asia’s soccer leader has warned members about the risks, citing a lack of consultation and expressing concerns over the impact on regional competitions (thehindu.com). Meanwhile, England’s former FA bosses have urged the country to consider boycotting the 2030 World Cup, citing the proposal as a major issue (mirror.co.uk).
FIFA’s proposal has also triggered an emergency meeting among member associations, with some nations threatening to withdraw support. The plan, which includes a secret October deadline, has further fueled tensions, with critics arguing it undermines the governance structure of global football (gbnews.com). The situation remains unresolved, with the future of the World Cup’s commercial model hanging in the balance.
