UEFA Condemns FIFA Plan to Sell Commercial Stakes in World Cup

UEFA Condemns FIFA Plan to Sell World Cup Stakes

The initiative centers on the creation of a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), designed to run tournaments such as the men’s World Cup and the Club World Cup, according to coverage in [The Canadian Press](https://www.castanet.net/news/Soccer/626225/FIFA-plan-for-Kushner-backed-20-billion-operation-to-run-World-Cup-meets-fury-from-Europes-UEFA). FIFA announced that FFE is aiming to raise up to $4.2 billion later this year based on an initial equity valuation of $20 billion, utilizing carefully selected long-term investors to purchase minority, non-controlling interests. FIFA is working with J.P. Morgan on the initiative, while investors would include Thrive Eternal, a permanent capital vehicle launched by venture capital firm Thrive Capital’s Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared Kushner is a son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, as reported by [Associated Press](https://www.inkl.com/glance/news/fifa-plan-for-kushner-backed-20-billion-operation-to-run-World-Cup-meets-fury-from-Europes-UEFA).

Structure of the Proposed Enterprise and Funding

Under the reported structure, FIFA would retain majority control of the World Cup, while private investors and FIFA’s 211 national member associations would hold the remaining shares, as detailed by the [Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fifa-world-cup-stakes-uefa-infantino-b3023154.html). British media outlets noted that preliminary agreements may already have been signed in a deal worth more than €17 billion, with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly consulted on the matter, according to [AS](https://en.as.com/soccer/world-cup/uefa-blasts-reported-fifa-plan-to-sell-world-cup-stakes-f202607-n/).

FIFA stated that the scheme is intended to expand football development funding to more than $10 billion (approximately £7.5bn), giving all 211 national member associations the chance to access up to $20 million in one-off capital, as outlined by [Castanet](https://www.castanet.net/news/Soccer/626225/FIFA-plan-for-Kushner-backed-20-billion-operation-to-run-World-Cup-meets-fury-from-Europes-UEFA). FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the overarching vision as an effort focused on the democratization of football worldwide. Furthermore, reports indicated the plan could potentially install Infantino as a commissioner or chief executive of the new entity when his current FIFA presidency ends in 2031, a position that could prove extremely lucrative.

Strong Rebuttal from European Football Leadership

The response from UEFA—which comprises 55 of FIFA’s member associations—was immediate and severe, characterizing the project as a critical violation of traditional sports governance.

This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross, UEFA said in an official statement published by the [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8xng9894z0o). “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.”

The controversy follows a men’s World Cup tournament that concluded earlier in the month, which already heightened political and personal ties between FIFA leadership and the U.S. administration, alongside widespread public criticism over high ticket prices and operational issues, according to the [Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fifa-world-cup-sale-uefa-37486916). FIFA’s 211 member federations must approve any such plan before it can be formally enacted.