UEFA has reacted furiously to plans by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to sell stakes in the World Cup and its other tournaments to investors. FIFA said it intends to expand “football development funding” to more than £7.5bn and invite third-party investment in a new venture.
The scheme would see FIFA retain majority control of a new enterprise, and the rest would be sold, partly to each of the 211 national associations should they wish to invest, and partly to private investment. The plan could potentially see Infantino installed as the “commissioner” of the World Cup when his FIFA presidency finally ends in 2031.
But UEFA, opposing the proposal and a long-term critic of Infantino, said in a statement that the “soul and governance of football are not assets to trade”.
“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross,” the statement read.
“UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.
“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
While the Football Supporters Europe called for Infantino’s resignation, saying in a statement: “The World Cup is not for sale. Enough of this charade.
“FIFA member associations – and everyone who cares about the future of the game – must stand up to the man who wants to sell world football. Gianni Infantino must go.”
FIFA said, if the proposal was given the green light, the plan was to “carefully select long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests in FFE”.
It also revealed Thrive Eternal, a company launched in April by Joshua Kushner, the brother of United States President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, would lead the proposed investor group for FFE.
“Fifa is always on the lookout for innovative projects that can boost the development of football around the world and is always open to reviewing proposals submitted to it,” a statement confirmed. “We are starting a consultation process.
“As the Fifa president stated on July 18 during a meeting with all Fifa member associations, the priority now is to “unleash the commercial potential and opportunity that Fifa has” after the Fifa World Cup 2026 success.
“Fifa makes its decisions democratically, and a proposal that Fifa has received and is currently reviewing will soon be presented to the 211 member associations and the Fifa Council, who will be the sole final decision-makers on the matter.”