FIFA President Gianni Infantino has declined to discuss whether he regrets his abandoned proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup.

Instead, he said FIFA remains focused on expanding opportunities for players and teams around the world.

Infantino spoke on Saturday at the opening match of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Katowice, Poland. Hosts Poland faced Argentina in the tournament’s opening game.

FIFA abandoned $20bn proposal

The tournament is the first organised by FIFA since the Swiss administrator dropped plans for a new entity.

The entity would have held commercial rights to the World Cup and other FIFA competitions. The rights were valued at about $20 billion.

The proposal faced strong opposition from regional governing bodies. UEFA and major stakeholders in football also opposed the plan.

There were also threats of a boycott. FIFA eventually abandoned the proposal in late July.

When asked about the plan, Infantino did not say whether he regretted its collapse.

“I’m very ⁠happy to be here in beautiful Poland, in Katowice, a fantastic setting for this ​Under-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup. It’s great,” Infantino said at the opening game between hosts ​Poland and Argentina.

“This is what we do, this is about giving opportunities, giving chances to teams with players, talents from all over the world, increasing the number of participants.”

He said the abandoned proposal was not the subject of the day.

“You know, there will be a ​lot to say, but there will be a right place and a right time to say this,” he said.

“It’s not today, it’s not here. But, here today we are enjoying football.”

Infantino points to FIFA’s global focus

FIFA on Thursday accused UEFA of running a smear campaign over the proposal.

The governing body also argued that UEFA’s opposition was linked to a desire to protect Europe’s dominance in football.

Infantino attended Saturday’s game with FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom and refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin was not at the match. Ceferin had previously ruled out challenging Infantino in next March’s FIFA presidential election.

Infantino also highlighted FIFA’s efforts to support football in poorer nations.

“We are continuing at FIFA to work to give every corner of ⁠the ​world a chance, an opportunity for dignity, to find ​ways and means for them to become better and to participate and to celebrate football,” he said.

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