FIFA backs off World Cup private equity pitch after global fury: 5 things to know 

FIFA pulled back late last week on an effort to cash in on the popularity of the World Cup by selling it to private equity as part of a broader investment strategy, a move that had sparked an international controversy and threatened the participation in the world’s most popular sporting event. 

At the center of it all was FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a familiar face in President Trump’s second-term orbit whose plan was the subject of outrage among football fans and governments across the world. 

Here are five things to know about the plan, the controversy surrounding it and how it fell apart.  

Soccer’s popularity, profitability reaches a fever pitch 

The World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico captured the attention of hundreds of millions around the globe and generated what is estimated to be more than $15 billion in revenue for FIFA, more than double its total haul from the 2022 tournament.  

Most observers have correlated that spike to a boom in “soccer” fanhood in America, which is home to the world’s fastest growing and most robust consumer economy.  

Television ratings for matches involving the U.S. Men’s National Team, as well as other countries like England and Mexico, broke records on both broadcast and streaming platforms, even as some fans complained about new “hydration” breaks that allowed for more commercials. 

Not long after Spain defeated Argentina in the final, Infantino unveiled a plan designed to make even more money. 

Infantino’s proposal essentially sought private investment to the tune of around $10 billion in exchange for rights to operate, broadcast and promote the World Cup.  

“Parts of the game have turned that popularity into remarkable commercial value – and we celebrate that success and want it to continue, because it lifts the whole game,” Infantino said in a statement laying out the plans. “Our job is to make sure the rest of football grows with it: FIFA exists to support sustainable, inclusive development in every corner of the world.”  

It’s unclear how much top FIFA officials would have personally stood to gain from such a deal, but critics accused Infantino of attempting to enrich himself and others atop FIFA’s masthead.  

UEFA, which represents European football associations and backs the annual Champions League competition for clubs, threatened to pull its members out of the next World Cup if the private equity was not squashed. 

That would remove UEFA’s 55 members from the competition, including powers such as Spain, France, Germany, Portugal and England. 

Nigel Farage, the Leader of Reform UK, in a social media post this week wrote “Football is for the people. UEFA are right to take a stand and Gianni Infantino must resign.”........

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