FIFA president Gianni Infantino has scrapped his controversial proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup after widespread backlash from global soccer officials and a threatened boycott by European nations. The plan involved spinning off FIFA's commercial businesses into a $20 billion subsidiary with 20% ownership by private investors, led by a New York firm founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The decision came after two senior FIFA officials publicly criticized the scheme. Presidential adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, stating he could not stand by while FIFA considered selling a stake in the World Cup. FIFA's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour revealed staff were 'deceived' by Infantino's lack of transparency and declared, 'I will understand and respect that decision. At least I'll sleep well tonight.'

European nations, along with UEFA, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation, had agreed to boycott World Cup competitions over the proposal, calling it a 'profound failure of leadership.' Infantino announced his intent to reunite stakeholders and continue growing football globally.