FIFA Gives Member Nations Until September 19 To Approve $20 Billion Investment Plan

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has given the organisation's 211 member associations until September 19 to approve a plan to create a $20 billion commercial subsidiary and sell a 20% stake to private investors. If approved, each member association would receive a one-off $20 million payment, but the proposal has faced strong opposition from UEFA and other football bodies, which argue that the World Cup should not be treated as a commercial asset. Critics also warn the move could reshape the future governance and commercial direction of world football.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has given the organisation's 211 member associations until September 19 to decide whether to approve a controversial proposal that would allow private investors to acquire a minority stake in a new FIFA commercial subsidiary valued at $20 billion.
Under the proposal, each FIFA member association would receive a one-off payment of $20 million if the plan is approved. The funding would be backed by Thrive Capital, the investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
Infantino outlined the proposal in a letter to member associations, describing it as a "singular and unique funding opportunity" that would significantly expand FIFA's financial resources.

FIFA SEEKS TO CREATE NEW COMMERCIAL COMPANY

The proposal would establish a new subsidiary known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would manage FIFA's commercial rights, including major competitions such as the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Private investors would own a 20 percent minority stake in the company, while FIFA would retain overall control.
Infantino argued that the project would generate additional revenue that could be reinvested into football development across the world.
He said presenting the opportunity to member associations was part of his responsibility as FIFA president.

UEFA AND CONTINENTAL BODIES RAISE CONCERNS

The proposal immediately sparked strong opposition from UEFA, European football's governing body.
UEFA criticised the plan, arguing that the FIFA World Cup is not an asset that should be sold to private investors.
The organisation is expected to hold an emergency online meeting with its 55 member associations to discuss the proposal.
Other continental football bodies also expressed concern.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF, which governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, criticised what they described as a lack of consultation before the proposal became public.
The AFC said it was disappointed that such an important matter was disclosed before member associations had an opportunity to examine it.

CONCERNS OVER THE FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Critics fear that private investment could place greater commercial pressure on FIFA to stage more tournaments in order to increase revenues for investors.
Continental organisations already organise their own major competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA European Championship and South America's Copa America.
They worry that expanding FIFA competitions could reduce the value and importance of existing regional tournaments.

MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS OFFERED $20 MILLION

Infantino told member associations they would each receive $20 million from the commercial cycle linked to the men's 2030 FIFA World Cup if the proposal is approved.
The investment process would be led by financial services company J.P. Morgan, while Thrive Capital would serve as the anchor investor.
However, Infantino warned that if member associations reject the proposal, they would instead receive the previously agreed funding package of $10 million over the next four-year cycle.

POLITICAL OPPOSITION EMERGES

The proposal has also attracted political criticism.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, whose government is supporting a joint United Kingdom bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, strongly opposed the plan.
Burnham said football belongs to supporters rather than investors and warned that selling part of the World Cup would undermine the sport's identity.
He argued that football should remain in the hands of fans and not become a commercial asset controlled by investment firms.

A DECISION THAT COULD RESHAPE FIFA

The proposed investment marks one of the most ambitious financial reforms introduced during Infantino's presidency.
If approved, it would significantly change the way FIFA manages and finances its commercial operations while bringing private investment into world football's governing body for the first time on such a scale.
The decision now rests with FIFA's member associations, whose votes will determine whether the organisation proceeds with one of the biggest structural changes in its history.