FIFA president Gianni Infantino is reportedly considering a proposal to sell minority stakes in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup and Club World Cup to private investors, a move that has already drawn strong opposition from UEFA.
According to reports, the proposal would involve creating a new company to manage the commercial rights of both tournaments, with FIFA retaining majority ownership while private investors could own up to 30 percent.
The Times reported that potential investors have already been briefed on the proposal, with Thrive Capital, led by Joshua Kushner, expected to head the investor group. JP Morgan is also reportedly being lined up as FIFA’s financial adviser.
Under the reported plan, each of FIFA’s 211 member associations would receive a £15 million stake in the new company, which they could choose to keep or sell. Reports also claim the proposal could see Infantino take on a commissioner-style role after his presidency ends, with the position potentially carrying an annual salary of around £48 million.
The plan could increase commercial pressure on FIFA to generate more revenue, with suggestions that it could eventually lead to further expansion of the World Cup beyond 48 teams, more commercially driven host selections and even more frequent tournaments.
FIFA’s current World Cup cycle between 2022 and 2026 is reportedly expected to generate around £11.3 billion in revenue. In a statement, FIFA said it is reviewing the proposal and consulting its member associations.
“FIFA is always on the lookout for innovative projects that can boost the development of football around the world and is always open to reviewing proposals submitted to it. We are starting a consultation process,” the statement said. “As the FIFA President stated on July 18 during a meeting with all FIFA member associations, the priority now is to, ‘unleash the commercial potential and opportunity that FIFA has,’ after FIFA World Cup 2026 success.”
“FIFA makes its decisions democratically, and a proposal that FIFA has received and is currently reviewing will soon be presented to the 211 Member Associations and the FIFA Council, who will be the sole final decision-makers on the matter.”
UEFA strongly criticised the reported plans, warning that football’s governance should not become a commercial asset. “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously,” the organisation said. “So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.”
“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.” The reported proposal adds to ongoing tensions between FIFA and UEFA over the future governance and commercial direction of international football.
