FIFA's World Cup Proposal Scrapped After Backlash, Says Arsene Wenger

The Chief of Global Football Development at FIFA, Arsene Wenger, has expressed his support for the decision to abandon a contentious proposal by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The proposal, which had been met with widespread criticism, involved the creation of a commercial subsidiary to oversee major FIFA events, including the World Cup, with the possibility of external investors purchasing stakes. In a bid to garner support from FIFA's 211 member associations, Infantino had offered each association $40 million, but the plan was ultimately withdrawn following intense opposition, including a threat by UEFA's 55 member nations to boycott all FIFA tournaments. Wenger, who was not involved in the strategic planning of the proposal and only became aware of it through media reports, stated that the decision to scrap the plan was 'absolutely necessary and beyond question'. He emphasized his commitment to an independent FIFA that serves the game with 'commitment, transparency, and integrity'. The Frenchman's comments come amid a tumultuous period for FIFA, with Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino's senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigning in protest over the proposal, which he described as 'a bad deal for football' that would 'mortgage football's future'. Wenger, along with 17 other FIFA officials, has been named in a document preservation letter sent by UEFA to FIFA, threatening legal action.