FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha on November 19, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. - Infantino hit back at Western critics of Qatar's human rights record at his opening press conference of the World Cup on November 19, blasting their "hypocrisy". (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)
FIFA Defends Investment Plan Amid Growing Opposition
FIFA has insisted that football is “not for sale” as it defended proposals to let private investors acquire minority stakes in a new commercial entity that would oversee its premier tournaments.
The governing body released the statement on Friday after UEFA warned it might boycott future FIFA World Cups if the plan proceeds. Concacaf, representing North and Central America and the Caribbean, also announced that its 41 member associations had rejected the proposal.
FIFA’s Position on the Proposal
FIFA dismissed reports suggesting it intended to sell football, calling them inaccurate. It pledged to continue consulting its 211 member associations before any final decision.
“We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation,” the statement read. “We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each member association can express its vote based on facts. Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain.”
Details of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE)
Under the proposal, FIFA would create a commercial subsidiary named FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). Outside investors would be allowed to purchase minority, non‑controlling stakes. FIFA argues the structure would let member associations benefit from football’s commercial growth while preserving its governance.
“This does not come at the cost of either the spirit or the governance of FIFA or football itself,” FIFA added.
Continental Backlash
The proposal has drawn strong criticism from several continental bodies. UEFA accused FIFA of turning football into a commercial asset and argued that the World Cup should never be opened to private investment.
“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product,” UEFA said. “It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies, built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.”
Concacaf also questioned the plan, citing concerns over insufficient consultation and a tight deadline for national associations. The Asian Football Confederation expressed similar reservations, while CAF and the Oceania Football Confederation are expected to discuss the proposal in August. CONMEBOL has yet to state its position publicly.
Financial Incentives and Voting Threshold
FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously told member associations they could receive up to $40 million if they backed the proposal, with an initial $20 million payment available to federations that approve the plan before the 19 September deadline.
Approval would require the support of at least 106 of FIFA’s 211 member associations.
Voices from the Football Community
Chelsea manager and 2010 World Cup winner Xabi Alonso weighed in, backing calls to keep football free from private ownership.
“I think football has to be for the people, not in private hands. The way we love it is this way, and we have seen a great World Cup. It’s good to defend the interests of all the people,” he said.
He added that the shared feeling among football fans is to keep the game in everyone’s hands, preserving its authenticity and the emotions it generates across competitions such as the World Cup, Champions League and Premier League.
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