Real Madrid has applauded FIFA’s decision to abandon their contentious idea to allow corporate investment in the World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was forced to make a humiliating retreat on Friday after facing significant opposition from the European Football Federation (UEFA) and several other confederations.
“Our club believes this is good news for football, for its institutions and, above all, for the millions of fans of our beloved sport,” said Los Blancos in a statement.
“Real Madrid wishes to express its gratitude to UEFA, to the confederations and federations, and to all the institutions that firmly and responsibly opposed this project.
“Their unity and sense of duty have protected football at a decisive moment.”
In February 2026, Madrid, a founding member of the failed European Super League project, reached an agreement with UEFA for the benefit of European club football, ending years of strained relations between the two parties.
FIFA announced plans to create a commercial subsidiary to run its major events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup, open to private investment, which Infantino estimated could raise $4.2 billion.
UEFA spearheaded opposition to FIFA’s plan, saying they would boycott all FIFA competitions and had lost trust in Infantino, who has been under severe fire in recent days.
