FIFA’s proposal to establish a $20 billion commercial subsidiary and sell up to a 20 per cent minority stake to private investors has triggered widespread opposition from football governing bodies, with UEFA, CONCACAF and several national associations raising concerns over governance, transparency and the future of the sport.
The proposal has intensified divisions within world football over the commercialisation of the game.
The world football governing body announced plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise a new entity that would manage the commercial rights to the FIFA World Cup, Women’s World Cup, Club World Cup and other competitions.
FIFA said the move would unlock greater commercial value while allowing it to retain full control over football governance and sporting decisions.
The proposed minority stake sale is expected to raise about $4.2 billion from long-term investors.
UEFA mounted the strongest criticism of the proposal, warning that football’s governance should never become a commercial asset.
In a statement, the European governing body said, “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade… None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
UEFA also criticised FIFA for failing to consult key stakeholders before unveiling the proposal, insisting that decisions of such significance should be subject to broader consultation across the football community.
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football echoed those concerns, saying it had not been consulted before the proposal became public.
“We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process, governance and transparency surrounding this proposal,” CONCACAF said in a statement, adding that it learned of the plan through media reports rather than FIFA’s established governance channels.
The Asian Football Confederation also called for greater transparency and full disclosure before member associations are asked to consider the proposal, while the English Football Association and the French Football Federation have reportedly sought further clarification over the initiative.
Spanish La Liga president, Javier Tebas, equally criticised the proposal, questioning FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s leadership and warning against handing the commercial future of football to private investors.
“Football is not for sale. The World Cup is not for sale. FIFA belongs to its 211 member associations, not to investors,” Tebas said, arguing that any move to commercialise the game’s governance would undermine the interests of football.
FIFA, however, maintained that the proposed structure is designed to generate more revenue for football development worldwide while preserving its authority over competitions and governance.
According to the governing body, proceeds from the investment would benefit its 211 member associations, with investors having no influence over football’s sporting decisions.
The proposal is expected to require the approval of FIFA’s member associations before it can proceed.
However, with opposition growing across several confederations, the plan is likely to face intense scrutiny before any final decision is taken.
