FIFA says it will defend Infantino after World Cup rights plan collapses

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is confronting a mounting leadership crisis after the governing bodies of Europe, Asia and North America – UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF – warned they could take “drastic actions” in response to his proposal to centralise the commercial rights of international football under a single, FIFA‑controlled framework. The plan, unveiled in early June, seeks to pool broadcasting, sponsorship and marketing revenues from national team competitions and major tournaments, promising a unified revenue stream but also granting FIFA greater authority over the distribution of those funds.

The three confederations, which together represent more than half of the sport’s global market, argue that the proposal undermines their autonomy and financial independence, and they have threatened to withhold participation in upcoming events, pursue legal challenges, or renegotiate existing contracts if the plan proceeds. Negotiations are now ongoing, with FIFA urging a collaborative approach while the confederations demand safeguards for their existing commercial agreements. The outcome will shape the future governance of football’s commercial landscape and could have significant implications for revenue sharing and the sport’s global growth.