FIFA Scraps Controversial Deal to Sell Stakes in World Cup to Private Investors The decision by FIFA to scrap a proposal to create a venture allowing private investors to buy stakes in the World Cup marks a significant turn of events in the ongoing saga of commercialization at the heart of global soccer.
The speed with which this decision was reached, just days after the plan's unveiling, is remarkable, especially considering FIFA's history of digging in its heels when faced with opposition.
The proposal had been met with fierce criticism from European nations and other stakeholders, who argued that allowing private investors to buy into the World Cup would compromise the integrity and autonomy of the event.