FIFA President Gianni Infantino is encountering significant internal resistance to his proposal of selling a stake in FIFA's World Cup operations to private investors. This plan has sparked criticism from key figures within FIFA and football associations worldwide.
Carlos Cordeiro, a former U.S. Soccer Federation president and current FIFA adviser, resigned in protest, labeling the $20 billion plan as a "bad deal for football" and expressing concern over mortgaging football’s future for short-term gains. He opposed the idea of creating a commercial subsidiary where 20% would be owned by private investors, including a firm linked to Joshua Kushner. FIFA COO Kevin Lamour, while not resigning, condemned the plan as deceptive and driven solely by Infantino, highlighting a lack of transparency and accountability. Lamour warned of the harm the proposal could cause and urged football leaders to act. The controversy has intensified scrutiny on Infantino’s leadership, despite his strong position ahead of next year’s planned re-election. Critics argue that FIFA, with ample reserves and no debt, has no need to sell its most valuable asset, the World Cup.
The proposal involves establishing a $20 billion private company, Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage major football competitions, including the World Cup. The venture would open $4 billion to outside investors, reportedly led by Joshua Kushner. Infantino issued a September 19 deadline for FIFA Member Associations to support the plan, offering $40 million incentives for those who agree. He warned that associations refusing the proposal may receive reduced funding for development and national teams.
The plan has sparked significant backlash, particularly from UEFA, which criticized the lack of transparency and warned that the World Cup is not Infantino’s to sell. There are even discussions within UEFA about boycotting the tournament. While some federations, like the Czech FA, support the initiative, others such as England’s FA and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham have condemned it. Critics argue the move jeopardizes the integrity of global football and centralizes too much power in FIFA's leadership. Despite growing opposition, Infantino maintains strong backing from over 200 Member Associations, making resistance difficult without undermining the event itself. FIFA has not disclosed how much Infantino could personally profit from the deal.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has joined UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing FIFA's plan to privatize the World Cup through the creation of a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise, valued at $20 billion. This project, led in secret by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has caused widespread criticism and led to the resignation of his personal adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, who described the initiative as detrimental to the future of football. The AFC expressed alarm over the possibility of a World Cup boycott, highlighting the lack of transparency and consensus in the process. UEFA has already threatened to boycott FIFA competitions. The AFC criticized the lack of inclusive consultation and called for institutional reform to ensure genuine governance and participation in decision-making within the organization.
The controversy surrounding Infantino's proposal has intensified scrutiny of his leadership, despite his strong position ahead of next year’s planned re-election. Critics argue that FIFA, with ample reserves and no debt, has no need to sell its most valuable asset, the World Cup.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing debates and potential for further developments as FIFA seeks to address the concerns raised by its member associations and stakeholders.