Fifa President Gianni Infantino is advocating for a plan to sell stakes in its football competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. This initiative has drawn strong criticism from various football governing bodies, politicians, and fans. Infantino describes the proposal as a democratisation of football, with a key incentive being a $20 million funding package for each Fifa member country to support game development once the deal is finalised.
The plan involves selling a reported 20% minority stake in a new subsidiary, Fifa Forward Enterprise, which would control the organisation’s commercial and event operations. This subsidiary is estimated to have an equity valuation of $20 billion and aims to raise approximately $4.2 billion in 2026. The investor group is reportedly led by Thrive Capital, a fund created by Josh Kushner, with bankers from JPMorgan advising Fifa.
Widespread Opposition and Concerns
The proposal has met with significant opposition, particularly from Uefa, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation. These confederations have expressed anger over the lack of transparency and due process, stating they were only informed of the plans through media reports rather than direct consultation. Uefa accused Fifa of attempting to “enrich themselves and their friends” and stated that the “soul and governance of football are not assets to trade.”
The Football Association (FA) in England also voiced deep concerns regarding the lack of information and governance surrounding the proposal. Despite FA chair Debbie Hewitt being a Fifa vice-president, the FA indicated it was unaware of the details of the plan. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also criticised the deal, asserting that football belongs to the fans and is not a product to be sold.
Uefa is reportedly considering an emergency meeting to discuss a coordinated response, which could include a potential boycott of Fifa tournaments, including the World Cup. The confederation believes that a World Cup without European nations would significantly diminish the tournament’s value.
Infantino’s Support Base and Connections
Despite the controversy, Gianni Infantino appears to have sufficient support to advance the plan. Since his election as Fifa president in 2016, he has garnered backing from numerous countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. This support stems from policies such as the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, increased commercial and broadcast revenues, and a programme that provides millions in annual funding directly to member countries.
This base of support, representing more than half of Fifa‘s 211 members, is crucial as Fifa votes require a simple majority. The prospect of a significant windfall is particularly appealing to smaller football nations, for whom this amount could exceed several years of their usual earnings.
Infantino’s close relationship with Donald Trump is also noted as a factor. The investment fund involved, Thrive Capital, is led by Josh Kushner, who is connected to Trump‘s family. Fifa also confirmed that Greg Maffei, a former president of Formula 1 owner Liberty Media and a donor to Trump‘s political campaigns, is serving as a “key commercial advisor.” Infantino has previously made efforts to strengthen ties with Trump, including awarding him a Peace Prize and opening a Fifa office in Trump Tower.
Potential Implications and Future Outlook
If approved, the plan would provide Fifa with a substantial cash injection, with funds for national federations becoming available from 1 January 2027. However, critics argue that selling stakes now would allow private investors to benefit from the future growth in World Cup revenue, which has historically increased significantly with each tournament. As a non-profit organisation under Swiss law, Fifa‘s theoretical goal is the long-term well-being of football, not profit generation.
Former chairman of Fifa‘s governance committee, Miguel Maduro, described the proposal as a “form of legalised bribe,” expressing doubts about whether the funds would reach the intended levels of football development. He also claimed to have resigned from his role due to disagreements with Infantino and Fifa‘s leadership regarding the committee’s operations.
The conflict between Infantino and Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin has intensified due to this proposal. Ceferin previously boycotted the World Cup final in protest of Fifa‘s decision to overturn USA striker Folarin Balogun‘s suspension. The expansion of the Club World Cup by Fifa is also seen as a direct challenge to Uefa‘s Champions League, further exacerbating tensions between the two governing bodies.
Fifa‘s 211 member associations have been given a deadline of 19 September to decide whether to apply for the initial payment.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Leo Ashworth is a Sports News Writer at Latest News UK. He cut his teeth on regional sport before specialising in fast breaking-news writing. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Newcastle, he follows the European Tour and boxes at an amateur gym. “Get it right first, then tell readers why it matters.”