FIFA plans to sell World Cup stakes to private investors

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced a plan to sell shares in the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments to private investors. The company involved is called Thrive Eternal, led by American businessman Josh Kushner.

UEFA quickly called an emergency meeting of its 55 member associations. A boycott of the World Cup is one option they are discussing. The European Football Clubs organisation, which represents over 850 clubs, said it was not consulted and only heard about the plan through the news.

Other regional football bodies in Asia and North America also criticised FIFA for not asking them first. Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter said nobody has the right to sell football. FIFA says it has now started talking to partners and believes the plan will benefit the sport commercially.