Real Madrid have described FIFA’s decision to abandon plans to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup as “good news for football”, after the proposal faced widespread opposition across the sport.
FIFA, led by President Gianni Infantino, dropped the plan following criticism from football organisations and governing bodies. Real Madrid issued a statement welcoming the decision, which ended the prospect of private investment being introduced into the ownership structure of the World Cup.
The proposal had attracted resistance from several confederations, including UEFA. Opponents argued that football’s flagship competitions should not be opened to private investment, saying the World Cup should remain outside such an arrangement.
UEFA had also threatened to boycott the tournament if FIFA proceeded with the plan. That opposition added to the pressure surrounding the proposal and contributed to the decision to abandon it.
Real Madrid, the 15-time UEFA Champions League winners, responded after FIFA confirmed that the stake sale would not go ahead. The Spanish club’s position places it among those backing the decision to withdraw the plan and reflects the strength of feeling expressed across world football.
The proposed sale had concerned organisations that believed private investment should not play a role in the World Cup. With the plan now scrapped, FIFA will not proceed with the arrangement that had prompted objections from UEFA and other confederations.
The decision comes during a trophyless 2025-2026 campaign for Real Madrid. Despite the club’s status as the most successful team in UEFA Champions League history, it is ending that season without a trophy.
For FIFA, abandoning the stake-sale proposal brings an end to a plan that had generated criticism from influential parts of the game. The organisation’s decision followed opposition focused on the principle of allowing private investors into football’s most prominent international competition.
Real Madrid said the move was positive for the sport, with the club backing FIFA’s decision to step away from the proposal. Its statement came after the governing body, under Infantino’s leadership, formally dropped the plans.
The development means the World Cup will not be opened to the private investment model opposed by UEFA and other confederations. Their concerns centred on protecting football’s major competitions from private ownership interests.
UEFA’s threat to boycott the World Cup demonstrated the seriousness of the dispute. The governing body had made clear that it would not support the tournament taking place under the proposed arrangement.
FIFA’s decision has therefore removed the immediate conflict over the planned stake sale. Real Madrid have welcomed that outcome, calling it “good news for football” after the proposal prompted opposition throughout the game.
