“The decision must be collegial”: Vyacheslav Fetisov contests the sale
According to Championat.
Context
Вячеслав Фетисов, known for his ice hockey career, now takes a position in the debate on football management, highlighting the importance of collective decisions. His criticism of FIFA and Gianni Infantino could influence how the organization approaches the sale of commercial rights, especially as the 2026 World Cup approaches, which promises to be a monumental event on the sporting calendar.
Why this matters
Вячеслав Фетисов's stance on the sale of commercial rights to the 2026 World Cup raises crucial questions about football governance. Criticism of Gianni Infantino's unilateral decision reflects concerns about transparency and the use of funds generated, especially in an event of great magnitude like the 2026 World Cup. Discussion about the financial management of the tournament is vital to ensure that the development of global football is not compromised.
Main conclusions
- “The decision must be collegial”: Vyacheslav Fetisov contests the sale.
- Fetisov considers that the eventual sale of a portion of the World Cup's commercial rights should be discussed and approved collegially, and not decided unilaterally by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
- Решение должно быть коллегиальным. Вячеслав Фетисов — the о продаже прав на ЧМ.
Vyacheslav Fetisov, two-time Olympic ice hockey champion and three-time Stanley Cup winner (once as a coach), criticized the hypothesis of FIFA President Gianni Infantino alone deciding to sell a stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup. In statements cited by the TASS agency, the former Russian international argued that a dossier of this size must be assessed and approved in a collegial manner within the body that governs world football.
Fetisov's position comes after news from the British newspaper The Times, which revealed that Infantino was studying the sale of a portion of the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors. According to the same publication, FIFA even consulted representatives of the administration of the then president of the United States, Donald Trump, as part of this analysis.
“We need to understand where these funds go and whether they serve the development of football in the world”, highlighted Fetisov, quoted by TASS. The former Olympic champion also recalled that the International Olympic Committee also generates very high revenues, stressing that the essential thing is that such operations do not harm the sports or the Olympic movement. For Fetisov, decisions of this nature “are calculated and discussed” and should not be left in the hands of “a single president of a federation”.
The Russian also left a note about the competitive format of the World Cup, considering that a tournament with 64 teams would be “too much”, because “it would cover half of the teams playing in the world”. Remember that the 2026 edition, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada, will have 48 teams and 104 games, in a model already approved by FIFA.
The discussion surrounding the commercial rights of the 2026 World Cup gains relevance due to the size of the event and the impact that new financing structures could have on the football ecosystem. Commercial rights — which encompass sponsorships, marketing and other global activations — are, along with broadcasting rights, one of the organization's main sources of revenue. Any change to its ownership or operating model is, therefore, closely monitored by federations, sponsors and fans.
Fetisov's message points to the need for transparency, internal scrutiny and alignment with football's development mission. In a cycle in which the World Cup expands to new formats and markets, the debate on how to attract investment without compromising sporting integrity will inevitably be at the center of FIFA's agenda.
What happens next
With increasing pressure for a more collegial approach to decision-making, FIFA may be forced to re-evaluate its governance structure. Consultation with private investors and Donald Trump's administration suggests FIFA is exploring new sources of revenue, but this could generate resistance from influential figures such as Fetisov. The future of the 2026 World Cup may depend on a balance between commercial interests and the development of world football.
Frequently asked questions
What did Vyacheslav Fetisov dispute?
Fetisov challenged the unilateral sale of commercial rights to the 2026 World Cup by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Who confirmed the sale of the rights to the 2026 World Cup?
Confirmation of the sale of commercial rights to the 2026 World Cup was mentioned by the British newspaper The Times.
Why did Vyacheslav Fetisov speak out now?
Fetisov spoke out following news about Infantino studying the sale of a portion of commercial rights to private investors.
What changes does Fetisov suggest for the sale of M rights
global?
Fetisov suggests that the decision on the sale of rights should be made collegially and not by a single president.
What is Fetisov's concern about the funds generated?
Fetisov expressed concern about where the funds go and whether they serve the development of football in the world.