This week, the football world was unsettled by reports that FIFA intends to create a new vehicle to manage the commercial rights for the World Cup. According to initial reports, the governing body plans to sell a stake in this entity to outside investors. The development has drawn significant attention due to the lack of transparency surrounding the decision-making process.

Reports indicate that the proposal was not widely known within the organization before it surfaced publicly. The Guardian notes that members of the FIFA Council, the organization's central decision-making body, were unaware of the plan when news first broke on Tuesday. Furthermore, the reports suggest that FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also caught by surprise by the timing of the news, which originated from a report by The Times. This lack of internal communication reportedly forced FIFA to accelerate its official announcement regarding the plan.

While the commercial move represents a major shift in how FIFA manages its most valuable asset, the sudden nature of the announcement has raised questions about governance and internal control. The situation highlights a disconnect between the organization's leadership and its governing council, as well as the challenges FIFA faces in managing its public image during a period of significant structural change. As of now, the full details of the investor stake and the long-term implications for the World Cup remain under scrutiny by observers and stakeholders alike.