FIFA Moves to Sell 20% Stakes in $20 Billion World Cup Subsidiary, Provoking UEFA Outrage

FIFA announced on Tuesday its intention to establish a $20 billion subsidiary to manage the World Cup and other events, offering up to 20% stakes to external investors. This decision has sparked significant backlash from UEFA, which accused FIFA of compromising the integrity of the sport.

Establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise

Under the proposed plan, FIFA aims to create the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to oversee its commercial and event operations. Following the recent 48-team World Cup held across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—the largest in the tournament’s history—FIFA intends to retain control of this new entity while allowing private investors to acquire minority stakes, potentially raising up to $4.2 billion.

A vehicle founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, is expected to lead the proposed investor group, according to FIFA.

Growing Tensions Between FIFA and UEFA

This initiative has intensified the rift between FIFA, based in Switzerland, and UEFA, the governing body for European soccer. UEFA has positioned itself as the protector of the game, while FIFA, a not-for-profit organization, focuses on expanding access through financial means. FIFA generates substantial revenue from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and commercial deals associated with the World Cup.

FIFA claims that the new proposal will enhance funding for the sport, promoting global participation and ensuring that all net benefits are reinvested into football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the importance of football as a catalyst for social development, stating that the organization exists to support sustainable growth worldwide.

UEFA’s Strong Opposition

The proposal has drawn fierce criticism from UEFA, which stated that it “crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.” UEFA urged all stakeholders—including national associations, leagues, clubs, players, and fans—to take the matter seriously. The organization asserted that the governance of football should not be treated as a commodity, especially without transparency regarding financial gains.

Relations between UEFA and FIFA have soured in recent years, culminating in UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin’s decision to skip the World Cup final due to ongoing disputes over various operational issues.

Funding for Development Initiatives

A FIFA spokesperson indicated that the proposal will soon be presented to the 211 member associations and the FIFA Council, which will have the final say. The organization plans to use funds raised from this initiative to create a program allowing member associations to access up to $20 million for infrastructure, coaching, national teams, grassroots football, and women’s initiatives. This amount is expected to increase to $24 million by the 2035-2038 cycle.

Infantino, who is up for reelection as FIFA President next year, stated that every member association should have the opportunity to secure a fair share of the available funding to shape its future.

Public Figures Join the Criticism

Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also criticized the plan, asserting on social media that the sport does not belong to investors. He remarked that the World Cup is not merely a product to be sold, emphasizing its significance as the pinnacle of global sport.

Richard Sheehan, a finance professor at the University of Notre Dame, described the proposal as a “money grab” by FIFA leadership. He criticized the move as contradictory to the organization’s not-for-profit status, suggesting it undermines the goal of making soccer accessible to all.

Involvement of External Investors

FIFA is collaborating with JPMorgan to attract external investors, with former Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei serving as a commercial advisor. The investor group is expected to be led by Thrive Eternal, an investment strategy launched by Thrive Capital, which recently acquired a minority stake in Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants.

FIFA clarified that external investors would hold only minority stakes in FFE and would not have any operational role. The organization emphasized that these investors are engaging with a subsidiary of FIFA, not with FIFA itself, indicating that its core operations will remain unchanged.

As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.

Explore the latest digital editions of FAME Delivered in the Magazine section: https://famedelivered.com/magazine/

Published on 2026-07-29 05:41:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk