FIFA has scrapped a contentious plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other flagship tournaments to private investors, after fierce resistance from across the football world and open threats of a boycott by major confederations.

The proposal, known internally as the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, envisaged creating a new commercial vehicle that would attract billions of dollars from private equity funds in exchange for a share of future revenues from FIFA competitions. Supporters inside FIFA argued it would unlock long-term funding for national associations, particularly in developing football nations.

But the idea triggered alarm among powerful stakeholders who feared that ceding a slice of the game’s most valuable assets to outside investors could erode sporting control, distort decision-making and reshape the global calendar around commercial priorities.

In a statement posted on his Instagram account, FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the plan had been shelved, acknowledging that the project had become too divisive to continue.

Infantino said the initiative was conceived to “further strengthen our FIFA Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed,” but conceded that, after consultations with member associations, the FIFA Council, confederations and other stakeholders, it was clear the proposal no longer served that purpose.

“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place. Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed,” he said.

The climbdown follows a particularly strong intervention from UEFA, which warned that European associations were prepared to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions if the deal went ahead. The Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF also lined up against the plan, leaving Infantino facing a rare united front from multiple regions.

Some officials, including former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick, had publicly backed the project, arguing it could deliver up to $20 million in extra funding per association on top of existing FIFA Forward money. However, concerns over governance, transparency and the long-term direction of world football ultimately forced FIFA to retreat.

Infantino said FIFA would now reopen discussions with stakeholders on alternative ways to grow revenues and expand support for member associations without handing control to private investors.