Gianni Infantino has abandoned his controversial plan to partially privatize the World Cup following a week of intense backlash from influential figures in football. The proposal, which aimed to generate significant revenue through private equity investment, has been met with widespread criticism, leading to its swift demise.

Infantino’s ambitious proposal

On Tuesday, FIFA introduced the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new initiative designed to consolidate the organization’s commercial rights—including broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing, and licensing—alongside the management of its tournaments. The initiative was positioned as a revolutionary step for football development, with FIFA estimating the FFE could be valued at around $20 billion (£15 billion) and potentially raise up to $4.2 billion (£3.1 billion) from private investors. In exchange, FIFA promised over $10 billion in funding for football development over the next four years, incentivizing member associations with a £30.1 million reward for their support.

However, the response was overwhelmingly negative. Major football bodies, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), publicly opposed the plan. The English FA expressed “deep concern,” while Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized that “football belongs to fans,” cutting through the corporate rhetoric surrounding the proposal.

Infantino’s reversal

The mounting pressure culminated in a statement from Infantino early Saturday morning, confirming the cancellation of the FFE project. He acknowledged that the initiative had caused divisions that were counterproductive to FIFA's goals. “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,” he stated. Infantino concluded that the proposal would not move forward, delivering the news in a straightforward manner without any apology.

Internal dissent

The fallout from the failed initiative extended beyond external criticism. Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to Infantino, resigned in protest, labeling the proposal a “bad deal for football” and detrimental to the sport's long-term future. Cordeiro, who identified himself as a lifelong football fan and former banker, made it clear that he had no part in the proposal and opposed it vehemently. Additionally, FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, also expressed discontent, signaling further unrest within the organization.

The collapse of Infantino's ambitious plan marks a significant moment in FIFA's governance, highlighting the challenges faced by the organization in balancing commercial interests with the core values of football.