FIFA President Gianni Infantino has withdrawn a proposal to sell the World Cup broadcasting rights for a substantial, long-term fee, due to widespread opposition. The plan faced significant pressure from continental football confederations, including UEFA, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation, as well as prominent figures within FIFA itself. The proposal sparked outrage as it was perceived as a move to commercialize the tournament excessively and potentially limit access for global audiences. Even British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak publicly called for Infantino’s resignation over the matter. The reversal represents a victory for those who argued the proposal undermined the spirit of the World Cup. Details of the abandoned plan remain somewhat unclear, but its intent was to secure future revenue through a sale to a yet-to-be-named media company.