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FIFA president Gianni Infantino examined ambitious proposals with private investors to launch a 211-nation Under-15 World Cup, drawing inspiration from baseball's Little League. The commercial plan included ceremonies at Walt Disney World and even an opening match between Israel and Palestine, before the idea was quietly dropped ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Ambitious youth tournament planned

Infantino is reported to have held discussions over the past year with private investors about commercialising a 211-nation Under-15 World Cup. The concept was intended to replicate baseball's Little League model, including opening or closing ceremonies at a Disney theme park. In spite of detailed planning, the project was eventually shelved shortly before the 2026 World Cup, according to The Athletic.

Private investors back blueprint

A detailed proposal for the youth competition was prepared by former Mexican Football Federation commissioner Juan Carlos Rodriguez, with backing from private American capital. The project also had support from Eldridge Industries, chaired by Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly. The organisers additionally held talks with ESPN over possible venues, including the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, located inside the Walt Disney World resort.

Geopolitical match idea scrapped

As part of the commercial drive, Infantino had initially wanted the opening fixture to feature Israel against Palestine as a sporting symbol of unity. But that proposal was removed from the final draft after tense relations at a FIFA Congress in Vancouver, where delegates from both federations declined to shake hands, bringing hopes of staging the game to an end.

Global calendar faces scrutiny

Putting the Under-15 blueprint on hold spares FIFA from further criticism over international fixture congestion and the growing commercialisation of youth football. Although the Disney-linked project has now been abandoned, Infantino's wider attention remains on expanding global competitions and locking in valuable broadcast rights across North America. World football's governing body must still strike a balance between increasing revenue, protecting player welfare and managing the demands placed on emerging talent.