FIFA's Plan to Sell World Cup Stakes Sparks UEFA's Strong Opposition

FIFA's proposal to sell minority stakes in the World Cup has ignited significant controversy, particularly from UEFA. The plan involves creating a new commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), valued at $20 billion, to manage global competitions like the World Cup. FIFA intends to sell up to 30% of FFE to private investors, including Joshua Kushner's firm, Thrive Eternal, aiming to raise $4.2 billion. FIFA asserts it would retain full control over football governance and competition decisions, with member federations having the option to participate, potentially receiving one-off capital gains of up to $20 million. UEFA has strongly criticized the plan, emphasizing that "none of us are the owners of football" and warning against privatizing football governance. The political connections between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and figures such as Jared Kushner and former U.S. President Donald Trump have further fueled concerns. This marks Infantino's second attempt to collaborate with private investors after a failed $25 billion proposal in 2018 involving SoftBank. Despite the criticism, FIFA reported record $12 billion revenues from the 2026 World Cup and is leveraging this momentum to expand financial incentives through 2038. Infantino, likely to be re-elected for a fourth term, might seek a leadership role in the proposed enterprise if it's approved. No timeline for decisions has been set yet.