'It won’t happen’: Aussie legends reject FIFA private equity

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, August 1, 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed privatizing the World Cup by creating a subsidiary company that would sell stakes to private investors, aiming to raise $4.2 billion and increase funding for member associations. The plan has faced strong opposition from key football organizations like UEFA, which threatens to boycott FIFA events, raising serious doubts about the feasibility and ethical implications of the proposal.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s recent proposal to privatize the World Cup by creating a subsidiary company open to private equity investment has drawn strong criticism from prominent figures in Australian football and beyond. The plan, unveiled earlier this week, aims to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling stakes in the new entity overseeing FIFA events, including the flagship tournament.

Under the proposal, FIFA’s 211 member associations would receive a one-time payment of $20 million early next year, alongside an increase in funding from $8 million to $20 million for the 2027-2030 cycle. However, the initiative quickly met significant resistance from key football governing bodies. UEFA announced its intention to boycott all FIFA competitions if the plan proceeds, while CONCACAF categorically rejected the idea of selling stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

Robbie Slater, a former Socceroo, described the plan as “dead in the water” due to UEFA’s boycott threat. “How can you run a World Cup without any European teams? You can’t. It won’t happen,” he said. Slater also highlighted broader financial challenges faced by football in Australia, noting the game’s ongoing precarious state despite the national teams’ participation in six World Cups. He suggested that Football Australia (FA) might be reluctantly considering Infantino’s offer due to financial strain, a situation he found deeply troubling.

“The Socceroos and Matildas need to rethink what they’re taking out of the local game,” Slater said, emphasizing that grassroots football is suffering because the national teams draw heavily from the domestic competitions that nurture future talent. “You can’t outlive your means. You can’t be spending more than you’re getting.”

Craig Foster, a former player and broadcaster, also condemned the proposal, calling it “highway robbery.” He urged Football Australia’s leadership to reject the plan on ethical grounds despite any short-term financial incentives, warning that supporting the proposal would alienate the broader football community in Australia. Foster questioned Infantino’s suitability to lead FIFA, describing the president’s approach as “brazen” and “delusional.”

“FA has an obligation to administer the game in the best interest of all its participants, not just for short-term financial gain,” Foster said. He predicted challenges to Infantino’s leadership could be imminent in light of the backlash.

Football Australia, caught off guard by the sudden announcement, has yet to issue a direct response to the criticisms but confirmed it is seeking further information from FIFA to evaluate the strategic, commercial, and governance implications of the plan.

The controversy underscores broader tensions within global football governance, as football bodies wrestle with questions about the sport’s commercial future and the preservation of its integrity.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.