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CONCACAF rejected FIFA’s proposal to sell a minority stake in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup and other major competitions.
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The confederation cited concerns over transparency, governance, and the speed of the approval process but stopped short of threatening a boycott of FIFA tournaments.
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The decision adds fresh pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino as resistance to the controversial investment plan continues to grow worldwide.
July 30, (THEWILL) — FIFA’s ambitious plan to bring private investment into the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup has suffered another significant setback after the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) unanimously rejected the proposal.
The decision, reached during a meeting of presidents from all 41 member associations on Thursday, places CONCACAF alongside a growing list of football stakeholders questioning FIFA’s latest commercial strategy.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the regional governing body said its members were concerned about the way the proposal had been presented.
It argued that there had been insufficient consultation and that member associations were being asked to decide without the necessary governance processes.
CONCACAF also questioned the need for external investment, pointing out that FIFA recently staged its most financially successful World Cup and already possesses substantial financial reserves.
While rejecting the proposal, the confederation stopped short of adopting UEFA’s tougher stance.
Earlier this week, European football’s governing body warned it could boycott FIFA competitions if the governing body proceeds with plans to introduce private investors into the commercial structure of the World Cup.
FIFA announced earlier this week that it intends to establish a new commercial subsidiary responsible for managing the business operations of its flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Under the proposal, minority stakes in the new entity would be offered to private investors in a move expected to generate up to $4.2 billion.
FIFA says the funding would be used to expand football development programmes across its 211 member associations while maintaining full control over sporting and governance matters.
However, the proposal has sparked widespread criticism across the football community, with opponents arguing that introducing outside investors into football’s most prestigious competitions could fundamentally alter the sport’s governance and commercial priorities.
CONCACAF, which represents football associations across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean including 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico called on FIFA to explore alternative ways of financing development initiatives.
The confederation urged the world governing body to consider deploying its existing reserves instead of seeking private equity investment and insisted that any future proposal should follow FIFA’s established governance procedures, including review by the FIFA Council before being presented to member associations.
It also reaffirmed its belief that football’s future should remain under the stewardship of the global football community rather than outside investors.
The United States Soccer Federation quickly endorsed CONCACAF’s position, publicly expressing its support for the confederation and its member associations.
The latest rejection represents another challenge for FIFA President Gianni Infantino as opposition to the investment proposal continues to gather momentum.
With UEFA already threatening a boycott and CONCACAF now formally rejecting the plan, FIFA faces mounting pressure to either revise its proposal or convince member associations that private investment can coexist with the traditions and governance principles that have long defined the World Cup.
