**Infantino Calls Plan to Sell World Cup Stake Proposal, Not Obligation**
In a statement released on Tuesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his support for the organization’s plan to sell its majority stake in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The proposal, which was announced earlier this month, aims to raise funds for future tournaments and improve the financial sustainability of the organization.
Infantino acknowledged that selling a portion of the World Cup’s ownership would be a significant step forward for FIFA, but emphasized that it is not an obligation. “This decision has been taken after careful consideration,” Infantino said in his statement. “We recognize that this move will require significant investment and support from our stakeholders.”
The proposal to sell 33% of the World Cup’s shares was first announced by President Infantino on January 3, with a target price of $2 billion per share. The sale would be facilitated through an initial public offering (IPO) and subsequent secondary offerings.
According to sources close to the negotiations, FIFA has been exploring options for selling its stake in the World Cup since 2016. However, the organization had put off any decision due to concerns about the potential impact on the tournament’s financial sustainability.
Infantino acknowledged that the sale would require significant investment from stakeholders, including private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds. “We are committed to ensuring that this transaction is done in a way that benefits all stakeholders,” he said.
The proposal has been met with mixed reactions from fans and sponsors, who have expressed concerns about the potential impact on the tournament’s financial stability. However, Infantino remains confident that the sale will be successful and provide a much-needed boost to FIFA’s finances.
**Background**
FIFA is facing significant financial challenges in recent years, including declining revenue and increasing costs associated with hosting major tournaments. The organization has been exploring options for reducing its debt and improving its financial sustainability.
In 2016, FIFA announced plans to reduce its debt by $1 billion over the next five years. However, these plans were put on hold due to concerns about the potential impact on the tournament’s financial stability.
The proposal to sell a portion of the World Cup’s ownership has been discussed for several years and was first floated in 2016. The organization had previously considered selling its stake in the 2022 FIFA World Cup but ultimately decided against it.
**Sources**
* Reuters: “FIFA President Gianni Infantino calls plan to sell World Cup stake a proposal, not an obligation”
* Bloomberg: “FIFA’s Bid to Sell Stake in World Cup Could Be Worth $1 Billion or More”
Based on reporting from Reuters.
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