Fifa Drops Private Investment Plan amid Backlash

Arsene Wenger and Mattias Grafstrom speak out on scrapped proposal to bring external investors into World Cup events.

KSports

August 6, 2026 at 03:01 AM

Photo: BBC Sport - Football

Fifa Drops Private Investment Plan amid Backlash

After facing intense criticism, FIFA's plan to bring private investors into its main competitions was scrapped. FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsene Wenger, confirmed the decision as 'absolutely necessary.' The proposal included creating a commercial subsidiary to run World Cup events with external stakeholders.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino initially offered $40 million (£30m) to each of FIFA's 211 member associations in support for his plan. But, after days of opposition—culminating in Uefa’s threat of boycott—Infantino was forced to withdraw the proposal.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom joined the criticism in an internal memo:

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