World Cup
CONCACAF hails FIFA’s retreat from privatising the Mundial
On Saturday, the Confederación de Norteamérica, Centroamérica y el Caribe de Fútbol (Concacaf) and its 41 federaciones miembro celebrated the withdrawal of FIFA’s plan to create a subsidiary to commercialise the Copa del Mundo, after the announcement was made on 01/08/2026 at 19:28 CEST.
The organisation underscored the unity of its members in defending football’s long‑term interests and the principles of good governance, as detailed in a written statement released the same day.
"The events of the last days have made clear something that can no longer be ignored: the future of the FIFA Mundial, the biggest asset of world football, was driven outside any established governance framework, without transparency, consultation or due process," the statement read.
FIFA had announced the previous Wednesday its intention to sell 20 % of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new subsidiary intended to manage commercial operations and events such as the World Cup.
CONCACAF joins UEFA in rebuke of Infantino on FIFA Forward Enterprise
On Friday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino issued a communiqué saying the entity abandoned the subsidiary plan after "listening carefully to all parties".
The accompanying photograph shows Víctor Montagliani, president of CONCACAF, standing to the right of the image credited to DARRYL DYCK / Ap-LaPresseEFE. CONCACAF thanked the media for bringing the issue to light and reminded FIFA that it is not a private company but an organisation that acts in the benefit of football and its members.
"A proposal of this magnitude does not reach this stage by accident. It signals leadership that has stopped prioritising football. This recent unilateral act of mismanagement must be examined thoroughly," the statement added, stressing the need for accountability.
Finally, CONCACAF noted that its members on the FIFA Council will continue to participate directly, ensuring that governance, accountability and leadership are addressed through the statutes and established procedures of FIFA.