FIFA’s recent proposal to sell the commercial rights to its global tournaments has renewed concerns about the organization's approach to women’s football. The plan largely omits any significant inclusion of the women’s professional game, signaling potential setbacks for the sport’s growth and visibility.

Under the proposal, FIFA intends to transfer commercial rights for its key tournaments to private investors and technology companies. This includes increasing ticket prices and potentially staging the World Cup every two years, all measures targeting increased profitability. However, critics argue that the proposals prioritize financial gain at the expense of both the integrity and inclusivity of football.

UEFA, representing 55 member associations, has responded by voting to boycott all FIFA competitions until the organization withdraws the plan. Such a boycott, particularly by European teams, would severely undermine the World Cup’s appeal and commercial success. While the boycott is aimed primarily at men’s tournaments set to take place in the coming years, the immediate concern lies with women’s football. With the next Women’s World Cup less than a year away and the Under-20 Women’s World Cup scheduled for September in Poland, the exclusion or marginalization of the women’s game could curtail its current momentum.

Observers note that FIFA President Gianni Infantino has consistently failed to integrate women’s football into his broader vision for the sport. This is viewed by many as a continuation of a longstanding pattern where women’s football is treated as peripheral rather than integral. During the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Infantino controversially challenged women players fighting for equal pay to "convince us men" of their value to the sport, a remark widely perceived as patronizing and reflective of the organization’s entrenched attitudes toward female athletes.

The issue came into sharper focus following the incident at that tournament’s final involving the Spanish football president Luis Rubiales, who kissed Spanish player Jenni Hermoso without her consent. The event underscored ongoing concerns about the treatment and respect accorded to women in football, both on and off the field.

FIFA has valued the potential company controlling the commercial rights for all its global tournaments at around $20 billion. While the financial stakes are high, critics argue that the organization's current strategy risks sidelining women’s football, which has experienced significant growth in recent years. The controversy highlights the challenges FIFA faces in balancing commercial ambitions with equitable support for the women’s game. Until the proposal is amended to address these concerns, women’s football may remain a casualty in FIFA’s pursuit of profit.