Fifa not ‘selling the World Cup’ in $20bn commercial plan, says adviser

Greg Maffei, a key advisor for FIFA, has defended a $20 billion commercial plan that has faced significant backlash. The proposal, which he helped shape, aims to attract outside investors, but critics argue it could compromise the integrity of the World Cup. Despite the controversy, Maffei insists that FIFA is not "selling the World Cup" and that the plan is about enhancing the tournament's commercial potential. This debate highlights broader concerns about the influence of corporate interests on major sporting events and the potential risks to the sport's purity.