FIFA Proposes $20 Billion Commercial Subsidiary, Sparking UEFA Opposition

FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced a plan to create a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to run the men’s and women’s World Cups, the Club World Cup and other flagship events. The entity would be valued at USD 20 billion and seek to raise up to USD 4.2 billion from long-term investors who would purchase minority, non-controlling stakes.

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UEFA responded the same day, declaring that “the soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.”

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Infantino’s 11-year presidency has featured two major attempts to involve private capital in FIFA’s core competitions. In 2018 he floated a USD 25 billion 12-year deal with SoftBank that collapsed after UEFA resistance. The current plan follows the USD 12 billion revenue generated by the 2026 World Cup, reported by Reuters.

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• Equity valuation: USD 20 billion (FIFA).

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• Target capital raise: up to USD 4.2 billion later this year (FIFA).

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• Development funding: FIFA says the scheme would expand global development financing to over USD 10 billion, subject to member approval.

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• Member-level payouts: Each of FIFA’s 211 national associations could receive a one-off grant of up to USD 20 million and a stepped increase in annual development funds—from the current $8 million per association to $20 million, $22 million and $24 million across successive World Cup cycles.

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UEFA’s 55 member associations, representing a quarter of FIFA’s total membership, argue that selling stakes in the World Cup would give private investors undue influence over the sport’s most prestigious competitions.

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• July 18 (scheduled): Infantino presented the proposal to members meeting in Manhattan ahead of the World Cup final.

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• July 19 (occurred): Spain received the 2026 World Cup trophy.

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• Later in the year: FIFA will hold an online congress to seek member approval for the FFE structure and to confirm hosts for future Women’s World Cups.

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• “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross,” — UEFA

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• “It is not FIFA’s to sell,” — UEFA

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• “The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially,” — UEFA

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• “This is about the democratization of football worldwide,” — Gianni Infantino

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The proposal must be ratified by FIFA’s 211 member associations at the upcoming online congress. If approved, the subsidiary would begin raising capital this year, with the first tranche of development funding slated for distribution under the “FIFA Fast-Forward Program.” UEFA has signaled it will continue to lobby members and may explore collective actions, including a possible boycott, should the plan move forward.

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