FIFA Plans to Sell Minority Shares in World Cup Rights, Sparking UEFA Criticism

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has initiated a groundbreaking plan to generate substantial revenue by selling 20 to 30 percent minority stakes in a newly created commercial entity, the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). Valued at approximately $20 billion (around €17 billion), this move involves consolidating commercial rights for FIFA competitions, including the men's and women's World Cups and the Club World Cup, under FFE’s management.

Preliminary agreements for the deal have already been signed, with private investors set to acquire minority shares while FIFA retains majority control. The initiative aims to significantly boost funding for FIFA's 211 member associations, potentially increasing financial support from $8 million currently to $20 million per four-year cycle, and further to $24 million by 2035. Infantino's efforts are seen as strategic to strengthen his position ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election, with reports of over 200 associations backing his re-election bid that extends until 2031.

Consultations regarding the plan included the U.S. government under Donald Trump, and the investment bank JP Morgan is managing the sale process. Support also comes from notable investors linked to the Trump family, such as Joshua Kushner.

However, the plan has faced sharp opposition from UEFA, which criticized the commercialization efforts as crossing a line in football governance. UEFA stressed that "the essence of football should not be treated as a commodity," highlighting concerns about transparency over beneficiaries and the potential impact on the sport’s integrity. Critics fear the deal might lead to changes in the World Cup format, including pressure to expand the number of participants from the current 48 to possibly 64 or to hold the tournament more frequently, affecting the international match calendar and ticket prices for fans.

While FIFA emphasizes that FFE investors will be long-term and without control rights, the plan represents a significant shift in football’s commercial landscape. Infantino may also take a leadership role in the new company after his presidency concludes, potentially earning millions. The controversial initiative underscores ongoing tension between football’s governance and its increasing commercialization, with the future structure and financial model of the World Cup set to evolve markedly.