UEFA has reacted with fury to reports that FIFA is planning to sell stakes in the World Cup to outside investors, according to the BBC.
The reports, published by multiple outlets including The Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, and the Financial Times, claim FIFA president Gianni Infantino is pursuing a plan to create a $20 billion commercial vehicle to attract external investment. The Guardian described the move as “selling the soul of football,” while The Telegraph called it a “nuclear bomb” for the sport.
The proposed deal would involve selling commercial rights to the men’s World Cup, a tournament that has traditionally been controlled entirely by football’s governing bodies. FIFA has not confirmed the plan, but the reports have sparked immediate condemnation from European football’s governing body, UEFA, which sees the move as a threat to the sport’s integrity and governance.
Infantino’s reported strategy comes as FIFA seeks new revenue streams ahead of the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Financial Times reported that the plan would create a separate commercial entity to manage the tournament’s rights, potentially offering investors a share of future profits.
The backlash from UEFA signals a major rift within football’s leadership. The European body has previously clashed with FIFA over issues such as the proposed biennial World Cup and the expanded Club World Cup.
What to watch next: Whether FIFA formally confirms or denies the plan, and how other continental confederations respond to the reported proposal.
