RismadarVoice Reporters
September 7, 2026
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the opening match of the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Katowice, Poland, as he continues to face questions over his abandoned proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup.
Infantino was present at the tournament’s opening fixture between hosts Poland and Argentina, where he was seen alongside Polish Football Association President Cezary Kulesza. Poland won the match 3-0 to begin the competition.
The FIFA president, however, avoided commenting on whether he regretted the proposal to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights, a plan that was abandoned in July following strong opposition from several football stakeholders, including UEFA.
The proposed deal, which reportedly valued FIFA tournament commercial rights at about $20 billion, had attracted criticism from regional football bodies and sparked concerns over the future control of major competitions.
Infantino said there would be an appropriate time and place to address the issue, while FIFA has continued to focus on expanding football development and providing more opportunities for teams from different regions.
The U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland features 24 teams from FIFA’s six confederations and serves as a development platform for young players aiming to progress to senior international football.
Infantino’s appearance at the tournament comes amid preparations for FIFA’s presidential election in 2027, with the FIFA chief expected to seek another term in office.
