FIFA's plan to sell event stakes sparks opposition from major football confederations

FIFA announced a scheme to allow private investors to acquire minority interests in its premier events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup, claiming the influx of funds would benefit every member association. The proposal has met with organized dissent from football federations across North and Central America, Asia and Europe, who contend that commercial interests threaten the sport’s integrity. UEFA’s chief publicly argued that profit-driven actors should not steer football’s future, and a senior adviser to President Gianni Infantino resigned in protest.

FIFA’s chief operating officer, Lamour, defended the plan as a catalyst for worldwide growth and said an open, democratic vote among members will follow. The outcome of that consultation will determine whether the private-investment model proceeds.