Real Madrid Backs UEFA After FIFA Abandons 20% World Cup Stake Sale

Real Madrid praised UEFA for protecting football after FIFA dropped plans to sell stakes in a World Cup company to private investors.

Real Madrid, the 15-time European champions, released a formal statement at 11:51 AM ET on August 2, 2026, valuing the decision by FIFA to abandon the partial sale of commercial rights for its competitions. The proposal involved selling a 20% stake in a new entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to private investors. This company was intended to manage the operational and commercial elements of both the men’s and women’s World Cups. The collapse of the project follows a period where Endrick scored for Real Madrid in a draw marking Jose Mourinho's return to the sidelines.

Opposition from three major confederations—UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and Concacaf—forced FIFA President Gianni Infantino to scrap the controversial plan. UEFA had previously intensified pressure on the Swiss official by declaring he had lost the confidence of the governing body. The European organization even pledged to boycott all FIFA competitions until the investment idea was officially withdrawn. Furthermore, UEFA is currently evaluating the possibility of triggering a no-confidence vote against Infantino, a move that would require support from 43 separate FIFA member nations.

Internal Resignations and Administrative Deception

Carlos Cordeiro, who served as Infantino’s senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned from his position due to the FFE proposal. Cordeiro characterized the initiative as a bad deal that would mortgage the future of the sport. FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour also spoke out against the project, stating that the administration of the governing body had been deceived regarding the details of the plan. Real Madrid’s statement emphasized that World Cup events are a heritage belonging to nations and society, rather than simple financial assets for the benefit of a few.

The Role of Clubs in International Football

Real Madrid’s leadership argued that clubs serve as the essential foundation for national team football. The club highlighted that these organizations are responsible for discovering, training, and developing the players who eventually compete in major international tournaments. By opposing the sale of commercial rights, the 15-time European champions expressed gratitude to the federations and institutions that acted with a sense of duty during what they described as a decisive moment for the sport. The club maintains that the World Cup should remain an event of public interest.

Setbacks for FIFA Forward Enterprise

Gianni Infantino had sought specific approval from national associations to launch FIFA Forward Enterprise before the project faced significant backlash. The rejection of the FFE model represents a major setback for the president’s strategic goals. Real Madrid concluded that the unity shown by the opposing confederations protected the institutional integrity of football. The club believes the decision to halt the sale is good news for millions of fans globally, ensuring that the commercial rights of the sport's most prestigious competitions are not controlled by private investment groups.