FIFA has abandoned a proposal to bring private investors into a new commercial company managing revenues from the World Cup and other major tournaments, following strong opposition across football. The retreat matters because the plan had raised concerns about governance, the future ownership of football’s most valuable competitions and FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s leadership.

– The proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise was valued at about $20 billion and would have sold a minority stake to raise up to $4.2 billion.
– FIFA said the money would support football development, including funding for its 211 member associations.
– European governing body UEFA and domestic leagues objected, arguing that the World Cup should not be treated as a private-equity asset.
– UEFA members had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if the proposal proceeded.
– Reports linked prospective investors to the Kushner family, while senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest.