FIFA World Cup Investment Fightsince Jul 29

Infantino World Cup Plan

FIFA dropped a controversial World Cup investment plan after global backlash.

•Left & Center

FIFA kills controversial plan to sell World Cup rights to a Kushner-led group

FIFA drops World Cup investment plan after backlash from major soccer groups

FIFA president Gianni Infantino drops plans to sell World Cup profits to private equity

Articles

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Analysis & opinion

The reporting

A neutral summary of the key facts most outlets agree on, drawn from reporting across the political spectrum.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino dropped a plan to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling about 20% of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new events unit valued at $20 billion, to outside investors. The unit would have controlled commercial operations for FIFA events, including the World Cup. Infantino said the project had created divisions that were no longer in the sport’s interest after opposition from UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation. UEFA members had threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments, and senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned over the proposal.

Analysis & opinion

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Private equity overreachLeans Left

Selling a stake in the World Cup to private investors was an unacceptable commercialization of football’s premier event. The fierce backlash showed that soccer’s governing bodies and supporters may resist private equity when it threatens member control and the game’s public character.