Gianni Infantino has described his controversial plan to sell shares in the World Cup as a “democratic” and non-compulsory proposal, insisting it represents a “golden opportunity” for global football development rather than an obligation on FIFA’s member associations.
The FIFA president has come under intense criticism in recent hours after world football’s governing body announced on Tuesday that he intends to open up stakes in the commercial rights of the World Cup to private-sector investors, structured in the form of shares.
Under the project, Infantino would assume a role comparable to that of a commissioner overseeing this new vehicle, which would involve external investment in football’s most lucrative competition.
The plan has already drawn strong opposition from several stakeholders, led by UEFA and a number of national federations, including the English and French associations, which publicly voiced anger and concern following FIFA’s statement.
‘Proposal, not an obligation’
Responding to the backlash in a video message, Infantino defended the initiative as a voluntary option that must be approved through FIFA’s decision-making structures, rather than a move being imposed from above.
Quoting comments reported by Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Infantino said: “The plan is a proposal and an offer, and it is a democratic process. Above all, it is an opportunity and not an obligation, and it represents the beginning of a consultation process.”
He stressed that the project is still at the discussion stage and that FIFA’s members would have the final say on whether it goes ahead in its current form, in a modified version, or not at all.
Infantino framed the proposal as a way to broaden the financial base of the sport and argued that the current model does not sufficiently support those at the lower end of the global football pyramid.
‘Golden opportunity’ to support developing nations
Outlining his rationale, the FIFA president claimed that the existing distribution of football’s commercial revenues leaves many countries and associations struggling to access adequate funding.
“An extremely small part of football’s growing commercial value reaches those who need it most in this sport,” he said.
Infantino argued that bringing in private investors through a share-based structure tied to the World Cup’s commercial rights could generate additional resources targeted at developing football around the world.
“This is a golden opportunity to boost the development of football globally,” he said. “But I repeat, this is just a proposal, not a commitment.”
He presented the idea as a way to help emerging football nations build sustainable programmes, improve infrastructure and strengthen their national teams.
Decision ‘entirely up to our members’
Infantino insisted that FIFA would not force any member association or confederation to support the plan, and that it would only move forward if it gained sufficient backing within the organisation’s governance system.
“We want to help in creating the next Cape Verde national team,” he said, highlighting one of Africa’s rising footballing nations as an example of the type of project he believes could benefit from increased funding.
“But again, this decision is entirely up to our members,” he added.
The remarks underline Infantino’s attempt to calm unrest within parts of the football community, particularly in Europe, where scepticism towards major structural and commercial changes has been strong in recent years.
While FIFA has yet to publish full technical details of the share-sale mechanism, Infantino’s intervention signals that the governing body is preparing for a potentially prolonged political battle over control, governance and the financial future of the World Cup.
For now, FIFA maintains that the initiative remains at the proposal stage, with Infantino portraying it as a consultative, member-led process that seeks to channel more of the sport’s rising revenues towards those countries he says “are most in need” within the global game.
