FIFA is facing growing criticism after unveiling plans to create a new commercial subsidiary that would oversee the business operations of its competitions, including the World Cup. The organization aims to raise $4.2 billion by selling minority stakes in this new entity to long-term investors.
World football’s governing body announced its intention to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), while retaining majority ownership and full control over football governance, competitions, the international match calendar, and all sporting and regulatory decisions.
FIFA said the new entity is expected to achieve an initial equity valuation of $20 billion. Each of its 211 member associations would also be offered a one-time opportunity to acquire a $20 million stake in FFE. According to FIFA, the initiative, combined with its existing development programs, could increase planned development funding to more than $10 billion over the next four years.
In a statement, FIFA reiterated its commitment to retaining “sole control of FFE and exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions.”
FIFA’s announcement followed a report by The Times that the governing body had begun discussions with financial advisers and potential investors over the proposed structure. FIFA also rejected reports that President Gianni Infantino could personally benefit from the arrangement after leaving office, saying such a scenario had not been discussed.
The proposal must still secure the support of a majority of FIFA’s 211 member associations and receive the necessary approvals from the FIFA Council before it can move forward. FIFA indicated its intent to present the proposal to the Council in the near future.
UEFA was the first continental governing body to publicly oppose the proposal, describing it as a step too far.
“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously,” the European governing body said in a statement.
“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."
CONCACAF later echoed these concerns, focusing on what it described as a lack of consultation before details of the proposal became public.
“We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process,” CONCACAF stated.
The confederation added that it shared “the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place.”
This proposal emerges as FIFA continues to expand its flagship competitions. The 2026 World Cup will be the first edition to feature 48 teams, while FIFA also expanded the Club World Cup from seven clubs to a 32-team tournament in 2025. Ahead of the World Cup, Infantino also mentioned discussions regarding the possibility of expanding the 2030 tournament to 64 teams.
