Gianni Infantino has issued a new statement as his new plans for FIFA spark anger and threaten a UEFA boycott of the next World Cup. The FIFA president is looking to launch FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would allow private investors to buy stakes in the company.
He said on Wednesday: “It’s part of a democratic process – a consultation process – and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation, and, as I said, it kicks off the consultation process.” The proposal would bring together the sale of FIFA’s commercial rights and the operational delivery of its tournaments, affecting broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing, and licensing.
If approved, it would raise up to £3.1 billion from investors, who would buy minority, non-controlling stakes in FFE valued at around £15 billion.
FIFA said the plans could produce over £7.53 billion in “football development funding” over the next four years. Mr Infantio is currently seeking approval for his scheme and has given football associations until September 19 to back it.
He threatened countries with less cash for development projects, grassroots football, and national teams if they refuse to sign up.
The FIFA president said that FFE needs over 50% of its members’ approval, along with approval from his ruling council, to go ahead.
He explained: “Should neither condition be satisfied, FIFA will continue as planned with the Forward Programme 4.0 … meaning approximately £7.5m ($10m) per MA [member association] for the next cycle.
“A singular and unique funding opportunity only for those Member Associations who wish to participate, with their decision to be made by September 19 2026 so we can plan ahead and with funds to be available immediately as of January 1 2027.
“This entity will be fully focused on one target objective; generating as much value as possible for FIFA’s Member Associations.”
President Aleksander Ceferin already boycotted the World Cup final this month in protest against Donald Trump stepping in to help turn USA’s Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban into a suspended ban.