FIFA has officially withdrawn its proposal to sell a minority stake in a new commercial entity to outside investors, ending a weeks-long standoff with its member associations.
The decision comes after fierce resistance from key confederations, including UEFA, which had threatened to boycott the World Cup if the global governing body proceeded with the privatization plan.
The Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf had also aligned against the move, creating a unified front that made the sale untenable.
The reversal marks a significant shift in FIFA's commercial strategy, which had sought to unlock value from its World Cup brand through external capital.
The proposed sale was intended to fund future tournament expansions and infrastructure projects, but the backlash highlighted the deep-seated concerns among member associations about losing control over the sport's most lucrative asset.
UEFA's stance, backed by all 55 of its member associations, was particularly influential, as the European confederation holds substantial sway within the global soccer ecosystem.