Fifa president Gianni Infantino has abandoned plans to sell stakes in the commercial rights to the World Cup and other major tournaments after intense opposition from football bodies worldwide. The proposal’s collapse matters because it exposed serious divisions within Fifa, prompted threats of a European boycott and has increased pressure on Infantino’s leadership.

The proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise would have raised hundreds of millions of dollars by selling a significant stake in the men’s and women’s World Cups and Club World Cup to private investors, with more than $10bn promised for distribution to Fifa’s 211 member associations. Participating associations were offered an optional $20m, with a 19 September deadline, but Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation opposed it; a senior adviser resigned and Fifa’s chief operating officer criticised the limited consultation. Fifa holds roughly $4bn in reserves, which may now be considered as an alternative funding source.