FIFA announced Friday it is withdrawing its proposal to sell a portion of its commercial rights. President Gianni Infantino said the plan had created divisions that were not in the objective's interest, regardless of support levels.
The proposal aimed to raise $4.2 billion from outside investors by selling a percentage of a new subsidiary that would consolidate FIFA's commercial and event operations. The plan drew criticism from fans, executives and governing bodies.
International soccer's governing body is structured with 211 national members, each holding an equal vote. That system gives nations like Spain and Argentina the same voting power as smaller members like Vanuatu or San Marino.
FIFA leadership has historically used that structure to consolidate authority, directing financial aid and development grants at smaller nations to advance initiatives and manage business dealings.
Critics saw the same pattern in the commercial rights proposal. Under the plan, FIFA members would have seen their distributions jump from $8 million to $20 million per four-year cycle, with an additional $20 million available for special projects—a potential $40 million total, up from $8 million. For smaller nations holding the same vote as larger countries, that increase was a critical incentive.
Wealthier members were less moved. U.S. Soccer reported revenue exceeding $455 million over the last two years, and larger federations expressed opposition to the selloff.
Infantino's strategy relied on securing enough votes from smaller countries. There are 84 FIFA members with populations under 5 million—more than the 82 members who have played in the World Cup since World War II. More FIFA members have populations under 50,000 than have ever won a World Cup, meaning the plan could have passed with votes from countries that have never participated in a men's World Cup.
Concerns extended beyond the proposed 21 percent passive investment. Critics raised questions about the long-term impact on global soccer and how Infantino and his allies, including the Trump family, might use the acquired goodwill.
Past FIFA corruption scandals followed a clear pattern. Global soccer leaders used financial aid and development grants to smaller nations to advance initiatives and conceal inappropriate business practices. Former CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb used that method to gain influence before pleading guilty to racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering. Those events shaped the backlash to the recent proposal.
Infantino's withdrawal of the plan reflects the depth of pushback the commercial rights selloff generated from a broad group of stakeholders.
