FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity firms has ignited a strong backlash from member associations and regional confederations, despite the tournament's record revenue of approximately $15 billion.
The proposal, which would create a new entity to manage the World Cup with FIFA as the majority owner and up to 21 percent offered to private shareholders, represents a significant shift from FIFA's current non-profit model. This move has been met with outright revolt from many of FIFA's 211 member associations.
UEFA, the governing body for European football, has threatened to boycott FIFA events if the plan proceeds, stating, "We will never lend this model our legitimacy." Similar condemnations have come from Concacaf, representing North and Central America and the Caribbean, and the Asian Football Confederation. Collectively, these confederations represent nearly two-thirds of FIFA's member associations, meaning their approval would be necessary for the plan to be enacted.
The intense opposition has led to questions about Infantino's leadership and his upcoming reelection as FIFA president in March. FIFA's chief operating officer reportedly described the proposal as "the project of one person," referring to Infantino, in a statement opposing the plan.
Despite the widespread criticism, FIFA and Infantino intend to proceed with a "consultation period" for the proposal. This situation echoes previous conflicts, such as the debate over "hydration breaks" that also served as commercial opportunities, as described by Roger Bennett, founder of the soccer podcast Men in Blazers. Bennett noted that professional football is engaged in a broader struggle between its traditional roots and the commercial pressures of its global scale, with entities seeking to maximize profits from its immense popularity.