FIFPRO rejects Infantino's plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors
FIFPRO Europe has condemned FIFA’s proposal to turn the World Cup into an investable asset, warning of the long-term impact on the game.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Ank Kumar
The players' union FIFPRO Europe has issued a scathing response to FIFA president Gianni Infantino's proposal to transform the World Cup and other elite tournaments into investable assets for private capital. The union warned that such a shift would fundamentally and irreversibly reshape the incentives that govern the sport in which players compete.
In a formal statement, the union expressed deep concern regarding the lack of transparency surrounding the project, noting that it had been developed behind closed doors without meaningful engagement from those most affected. "FIFPRO Europe cannot — and will never — support such a model," the statement declared.
For the union, the core issue is one of governance and the exclusion of the athletes who drive the sport's revenue. They argued that commercial influence must not displace the voices of those who play and sustain the game, especially since players will bear the consequences of these decisions long after current leadership leaves office.
Despite the union's opposition, there are signs of division. Czech FA president David Trunda has publicly backed the FIFA chief, stating he sees "pragmatic benefits" in working with Infantino. FIFA’s strategy includes the prospect of financial distributions rising to $40 million per member association in the next cycle, a move that is clearly intended to secure support among smaller federations.