Key Takeaways
- FIFA abandoned plans to sell a stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup.
- Regional confederations criticized FIFA for not consulting them on the proposal.
- The backlash has raised questions about FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s leadership.
FIFA faced renewed calls for transparency after abruptly shelving plans to sell a stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup, a move that triggered fierce opposition from regional confederations.
The proposal aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling about a 20% stake to private investors in a new unit managing FIFA events, including the World Cup.
However, the plan quickly ran into significant resistance, with regional football officials complaining of being blindsided and demanding greater oversight.
The future of global football must always be shaped through proper consultation, collective dialogue and respect for the established governance structures of our game.
Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, President, Asian Football Confederation
Some principles, however, should never change. Integrity. Independence. Good governance. Transparency. Meaningful consultation. Due process.
Anter Isaac, Chairman, Football Australia
