FIFA drops World Cup stake sale plan after backlash

FIFA says it will no longer pursue a plan to sell a minority stake in a new unit tied to World Cup operations after drawing strong criticism from soccer officials around the world. The proposal, announced earlier this week, had aimed to raise billions of dollars from private investors and was valued at about $20 billion. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the idea created divisions and would not move forward. The move faced opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, while FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned amid the dispute. FIFA said it now wants to bring stakeholders back together and continue supporting football development globally.