FIFA has unveiled plans to sell a minority stake in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup and its other major tournaments through a newly created subsidiary, in a move expected to raise $4.2 billion.
The global football governing body said it would retain majority ownership of the new entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), while inviting long-term investors to acquire minority, non-controlling stakes.
According to FIFA, the initiative values FFE at an estimated $20 billion and is designed to generate additional funding for football development without relinquishing control of the sport’s governance.
The proposal, however, must still receive approval from FIFA’s 38-member Council and a majority of its 211 member associations.
The announcement followed reports in British media suggesting FIFA President Gianni Infantino could become commissioner of the new commercial entity after his expected term ends in 2031.
FIFA dismissed the claims, saying no such discussions had taken place.
Reports also indicated that talks had begun with financial advisers and potential investors, including Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, and an investment arm of JPMorgan Chase.
The proposal has already attracted criticism from former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who questioned the growing involvement of American investors in global football.
“The close relationship between the FIFA President and the US President has reached a financial dimension that is deeply damaging football. No one has the right to sell our game,” Blatter wrote on social media.
European football governing body UEFA also voiced strong opposition to the plan.
“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross,” UEFA said.
“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
Despite the criticism, FIFA insisted it would maintain exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, the international match calendar and all sporting regulations.
The organisation said each of its 211 member associations would have the opportunity to purchase a one-time $20 million stake in FFE, representing 0.1 percent of the company.
FIFA said the investment model, alongside its existing development programmes, could increase total football development funding to more than $10 billion over the next four years.
The proposal also drew criticism from British politician Andy Burnham, who argued that football should not become an investment asset.
“Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands… The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport.”
Expansion plans fuel concerns
The proposed restructuring comes as FIFA projects record revenues of more than $8 billion from the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will feature 48 teams for the first time.
Earlier this year, Infantino also confirmed that discussions had begun over expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams.
Critics argue that commercial investors could push FIFA to further expand major tournaments or increase how often they are held to maximise profits.
FIFA previously explored private investment in 2019 through a proposed $25 billion funding plan for an expanded Club World Cup, although that proposal was rejected.
The organisation later expanded the Club World Cup from seven teams to 32 clubs in 2025.
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