Fifa Presses On With Investment Plan After Boycott Threats

Fifa responded by saying its consultation process had been disrupted by what it described as incorrect media reports. In a statement on Friday morning, the organization said it would continue the process so that each member association can cast a vote based on facts. It also said it respected the concerns raised publicly and remained committed to an open and democratic consultation.

The plan still faces a tough path. It must win approval from Fifa’s membership, and Fifa president Gianni Infantino needs 106 votes in favor for the proposal to pass. With Uefa and Concacaf members appearing set to vote against, the fight has become more than a technical business proposal. It has turned into a test of how much control football’s traditional governing bodies are willing to hand over in the name of new revenue.

The backlash also shows how sensitive the sport has become to any move that looks like privatizing pieces of its biggest competitions. For Fifa, the question is not just whether it can attract investors, but whether it can do so without triggering a wider revolt from the associations that make up world football. For American readers, the issue matters because it could shape the future of World Cups and the way the sport’s global power and profits are shared.