FIFA’s proposal to sell a minority stake to a new commercial subsidiary has sparked growing opposition from football’s governing bodies, with UEFA, the Football Association (FA) and Concacaf all questioning the process behind the plan, while European football is now considering an emergency meeting and potential responses that sources told ESPN could include a boycott of future World Cups.The proposal, unveiled by FIFA earlier this week, would change the commercial ownership of the governing body’s main competitions, including the FIFA World Cup and Club World Cup, by transferring their commercial operations and activities to a newly created company backed by private investment.
FIFA proposes a new commercial company
On Tuesday, FIFA announced plans to establish a new subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise, which will control the organization’s commercial operations and activities while FIFA retains the authority to manage, regulate, schedule and make decisions on the game.Under the proposal, FIFA would sell a 20% minority stake in the new company for an estimated $20 billion, raising approximately $4.2 billion in private investment.FIFA has appointed multinational financial services firm JPMorgan to advise on the transaction, while the investor consortium will be led by Thrive Eternal, a fund launched by Thrive Capital founder Joshua Kushner. Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, who linked the proposed investment to one of America’s most prominent political families.
President Donald Trump, left, speaks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as confetti falls at the end of the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, NJ, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
According to FIFA, the organization will remain the majority owner of the subsidiary and continue to manage all football management matters, while the new structure is intended to generate greater income for the member associations.The proposal needs approval from FIFA’s 211 member associations before it can go ahead.
Infantino offered up to $40 million per association
After criticism of the proposal, FIFA president Gianni Infantino wrote to all 211 member associations defending what he described as a “singular and unique funding opportunity.”According to the letter, first reported by: The Times and reviewed by several outlets including the Associated Press, member associations have until September 19 to approve the proposal.Infantino wrote that the reception will open a $10 billion funding package starting January 1, 2027.“It is my duty and responsibility as president of FIFA to present such game-changing opportunities to you, our members,” Infantino wrote.“If you want to continue this $10 billion package will be available on January 1, 2027, which will begin the next phase of our journey together.“If you want to maintain the status quo and reject this proposal, we still have our planned expansion of the Forward program of $2.7 billion as previously presented.”Under the proposal, each member association will have access to up to $40 million during the 2027-30 cycle, consisting of a payment of up to $20 million through the proposed Fast Forward program and an additional $20 million through FIFA Forward development funding.FIFA also indicated that annual financial support to member associations will continue to increase until 2038.
UEFA issued the strongest warning yet:
The proposal prompted a particularly strong response from UEFA, which said it had not been consulted before FIFA made the plans public.On Tuesday, European football’s governing body described the proposal as one that “crosses a line that football’s governing bodies should not cross.”in a: strong word statement, UEFA said:“It crosses a line that football’s governing institutions can never cross. UEFA takes it very seriously.“So is every National Football Association. So is every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.“The soul and management of football are not assets for sale, especially with zero transparency on who gets the financials. None of us own the football. This is not FIFA for sale.”Sources later said: ESPN: UEFA has accelerated plans to call an emergency virtual meeting of its 55 member associations to discuss the proposal and potential responses, including the possibility of a future World Cup boycott.After learning of FIFA’s September 19 deadline, UEFA issued a second statement criticizing the ultimatum and the broader proposal.“Now we know FIFA’s deadline for the associations to support their proposals or withdraw the one-off payment offer. This tells everything you need to know about this plan,”UEFA said. “But following discussions with a number of stakeholders across the sport, UEFA is aware that there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA’s scheme.“FIFA cannot continue to use our game to promote themselves and their friends. It is time to put associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans first.
The FA and Concacaf have also expressed concerns
The Football Association said it first learned of the proposal through media reports and criticized what it described as a lack of transparency throughout the process.“We are not fully aware of this proposal and do not have important details, including what exactly the proposal is, and what conditions are included,” the The FA said in a statement.“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and oversight to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.“If the proposal is shared in the full and transparent manner that FIFA has now promised, we will explain our views, and further comment.”Concacaf echoed those concerns, saying it was also aware of the proposal following media reports and FIFA’s subsequent public announcement.“Concacaf only became aware of this matter through media reports and, subsequently, through media releases,” the said the confederation.“We are deeply concerned about the lack of due process.“We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail was designed and shared with the public before any discussion took place with the relevant governing bodies and stakeholders.“As leaders within football, we are the guardians of the game. Collectively, FIFA, the confederations and each member association have a responsibility to always act in the best interests of the game.“Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, robust processes and long-term governance. This is the framework within which Concacaf operates. We trust that everyone within the FIFA family will act in the same way.”