FIFA pushes ahead with controversial commercial investment plan despite opposition from UEFA and Concacaf

FIFA has insisted that “nobody is selling football” whilst reaffirming its intention to proceed with a plan to sell minority stakes in its commercial operations to private investors, despite a fierce backlash from major regional governing bodies. UEFA voted to boycott future World Cups if the initiative moves forward, whilst Concacaf confirmed its 41 member associations also rejected the proposal put forward by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Under the proposal, FIFA intends to establish a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage the commercial rights of major tournaments including the men’s World Cup. Private equity firm Thrive Eternal, founded by venture capitalist Joshua Kushner, is expected to lead the investor group purchasing a minority stake in the new entity, which carries an initial valuation of $20 billion.

To secure the necessary 106 votes from FIFA’s 211 member associations, Infantino has offered an immediate $20 million payout to federations that back the proposal before a 19 September deadline. FIFA maintains the initiative will significantly increase development funding for smaller footballing nations without compromising the sport’s governance.