Gianni Infantino abandons plan to sell part of World Cup commercial rights

FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced on 2 August 2026 that he is abandoning the plan to sell a portion of the World Cup's commercial rights to external investors, saying the proposal has produced divisions that contradict its original purpose.

In an official statement Infantino outlined why the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project will not move forward.

"The FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project aimed to lay the foundations for further strengthening our member associations and our sport around the world, especially in countries where support is most needed."

He stressed that any such scheme must rest on broad backing and consultation.

Decision follows internal disagreement

"Furthermore, as we stated from the outset, this can only be achieved with the support of the majority of FIFA member associations and always in consultation with them, the FIFA Council, the confederations and a wider circle of stakeholders," Infantino said, acknowledging that the plan had prompted serious dissent.

"It became clear that the project created such disagreements that, regardless of the level of support, it no longer served the interests of the original goal. Our aim has always been and will be to unite and improve. For this reason, the proposal will not be implemented."

Infantino closed his message with a pledge to continue work on football development: "In the coming days and weeks, I intend to gather all stakeholders in the spirit of common interest for our football and with the aim of continuing its development everywhere, especially in the countries that most need our support."

The announcement comes amid reports that UEFA had issued an ultimatum, threatening to boycott the World Cup if commercial rights were sold to American investors.

Photo: El Comentario (X)