"Just an offer, not an obligation": FIFA prez Infantino on plans to sell minority stakes of World Cup
Zurich, July 30
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended plans to sell a minority stake in the FIFA World Cup and raise funds via external investors, saying that the process to bring in the plan is "democratic and not an obligation" for the member associations affiliated with the world's football governing body.
FIFA on Tuesday announced that it was seeking to launch FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) in order to bring together the sale of FIFA's commercial rights, right from broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing - with the operational delivery of its tournaments, as per Sky Sports.
Under this proposal, FIFA would raise upto 4.2 billion USD (3.1 billion pounds) via external investors, through the sale of minority, non-controlling stakes in FFE, which FIFA says will be valued at around 20 billion USD (15 billion pounds).
The proposal met negative reception from football fraternity worldwide, most particularly UEFA and FA, two of the most powerful football bodies of the world. Amid growing criticism, Infantino has downplayed concerns about the proposal, framing the initiative as a discussion paper and as something that will start the broader dialogue across the sport. He also said that the newly formed body will be a "FIFA-owned and controlled subsidiary".
"Well, FIFA 4 Enterprise, or FFE, is actually a proposal, an offer, it is part of a democratic process, a consultation process, and above all, it is an opportunity, but not an obligation, and as I said, it kicks off the consultation process, if and only if it is approved by the majority of our 211 member associations and the FIFA Council, it would be a FIFA-owned and controlled subsidiary, consolidating FIFA's commercial and event operations," Infantino said as quoted by Goal.com.
Infantino also said that the initiative will "simply commercialise and organise all FIFA-owned competitions" and will "unlock sport's potential in every corner of the world, across men's, women's and youth football".
"It would simply commercialise and organise all FIFA-owned competitions, along with sponsorship brokers, licensing a new venture for the benefit of FIFA's 211 member associations, however, unlocking previously uncaptured commercial value. So, we believe that the FFE proposal would unlock the sport's potential in every corner of the world, across men's, women's, and youth football," he said.
He also said that it could raise aising the level of funding from the currently budgeted 8 million USS to 20 million USD per association for the 2027-2030 cycle for every member association. Also, member associations could access up to 20 million USD in optional one-off funding for major projects via a new 'FIFA Fast Forward Programme'.
"In the next forward cycle alone, distributions would rise from $8 million per MA (member association) to 20 million USD. Additionally, each MA would also have the option to access a further $20 million through the FIFA Fast Forward Program, taking the potential funding to $40 million per MA for this next cycle. It is a golden opportunity to turbo-charge the development of the game globally. But again, it is just an offer, not an obligation. It is simply a choice for our members," he said.
The future of the World Cup is now in the hands of 211 member associations, with the deadline to approve the plan set for September 19. Over the next few weeks, a lot of debate and lobbying is expected as federations will think on financial benefits and any negative consequences due to FIFA's future plans for the grandest tournament in the sport.
If the proposal is rejected, FIFA members will still get their standard annual payments and would not get the much-higher, lucrative cash amounts promised under the FFE incentive.
— ANI
Reader Comments
$20 million per association? That's a massive jump from $8 million! 🤯 For a country like India, where football is growing but still behind cricket, this could be a game-changer. Our AIFF could use that money for grassroots development, stadiums, and coaching. But I'm wary—if FIFA takes investor money, will they start dictating when and where matches are played? Already the World Cup is going to 48 teams; what next, a tournament in January? ❄️
I'm a football fan from the US, but I live in India now and see how passionate people are about the sport here. Infantino's plan sounds like a hedge fund pitch—"unlock value," "turbo-charge growth." 🚀 It's classic over-promising. UEFA and the FA are right to be skeptical; they've seen FIFA's governance issues before. The 211 members need to ask: who really benefits? Because if it's just FIFA executives and investors, no thanks.
As a die-hard Indian football fan, I've seen how money can corrupt—just look at our domestic leagues. But I also see the potential: if AIFF gets $40 million per cycle, that could fund academies in every state! 🏟️ However, giving up control is dangerous. Infantino says it's "FIFA-owned and controlled," but once investors have a seat at the table, they'll want a say. Remember, the World Cup is for the fans, not for Wall Street. Let's hope the member associations have the guts to say no if it compromises the sport.
I'm from the UK and live in Mumbai now. This proposal divides opinion here too! 🇮🇳 Some of my Indian friends think it's a brilliant opportunity for football development. Others, like me, worry that football is becoming too commercial. The World Cup is the last truly global event that feels pure. If FIFA sells a stake, it'll be like selling a piece of the
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