FIFA’s proposal to sell off its competitions, including the World Cup, has a new deadline for association members to support in order to gain extra funds, but UEFA is considering its own proposal of boycotting the next World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has recently said its private equity proposal to sell off shares in the World Cup will unlock “previous uncaptured commercial value”. These claims come as FIFA association members consider boycotting the next World Cup.
Infantino said FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) is part of a “democratic consultation process” but emphasised it is not an “obligation”.
Reports have emerged since the announcement of FFE that FIFA association members will be offered up to $40m if they agree to the proposal before a 19 September vote. Those who do not could only stand to make $10m.
“It would simply commercialise and organise all FIFA competitions, along with sponsorship, broker licensing and a new venture for the benefit of FIFA’ 211 member’s associations, unlocking previous uncaptured commercial value,” said Infantino.
“Strengthening the commercial side of the game is the natural next step. We believe the FFE proposal would unlock (football’s) potential in every corner of the world, across men’s, women’s and youth football.”
FFE is a commercial entity seeking to raise up to $20bn from private equity and capital management firms by selling off FIFA competitions, such as the World Cup.
Some of the early backers for the project includes Thrive Eternal, a capital holding company led by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner who is the son-in-law of President Donald Trump.
One of the most vocal organisations vehemently against FIFA’s proposal is UEFA. The European football organisation stated after the FFE announcement that the World Cup is “not FIFA’s to sell”.
UEFA meeting and possible World Cup boycott
After receiving knowledge of FIFA’s deadline for support of FFE, UEFA released a statement which said it knows there is “significant and growing opposition to FIFA’s scheme”.
“FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends,” said the uEFA statement. “We can grow the game correctly. It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”
UEFA intends to hold an emergency meeting today (30 July) to discuss a response and potential boycott of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by Portugal and Spain alongside Morocco, if FFE is approved by a majority vote in September.
A boycott would immediately throw the 2030 World Cup into disarray due to being co-hosted in Portugal and Spain, however, this is contingent on both countries voting no to FFE.
If all 55 UEFA association members were to boycott the next World Cup, this would also damage the competitions reputation and competitive level. Three out of the four semi-finalists of the 2026 World Cup were European countries (England, France, Spain) with Spain the current World Cup champions.
Which associations will agree to FIFA’s proposal?
There has yet to be any FIFA association member to have formally voted ‘yes’ to FFE but some organisations have expressed their support.
President of the Czech Republic association David Trunda believes investment from firms by selling off FIFA competitions will bring a “positive impact”, as it will help fund football operations across the Czech Republic. The association has a meeting scheduled for 11 August to determine its vote.
The Croatian football association is one of the first to publicly criticise the funding venture, supporting UEFA’s stance. The English football association stated it is ‘deeply concerned’ by the proposal as a spokesperson stated they were “completely unaware”.
“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved,” said the English FA spokesperson.
“When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further.”
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is also a critic of the FFE, writing in a post on X that “Football does not belong to investors”.
When the vote happens amongst FIFA’s 211 association members in September, the vote requires a 75% majority vote for it to pass and be approved.
