Gianni Infantino is suffering a backlack from continental governing bodies (Image: Getty)
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has received another blow to his plans to sell off parts of the World Cup. CONCACAF have rejected Infantino’s proposal, calling for ‘greater transparency and proper governance’ after UEFA earlier said they would boycott FIFA competitions.
World football’s governing body announced plans to launch FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to bring together the sale of FIFA’s commercial rights – including sponsorship, ticketing, licensing and broadcasting – with the operational delivery of tournaments.
FIFA would rake in £3.1billion from external investors by selling a minority stake in FFE. The decision requires the backing of more than half of member nations in addition to the ruling council.
Infantino wrote to FIFA members about the proposal only after the prospect leaked and backlash began to mount. The Italian threatened that those who did not support the plans in September could miss out on the financial benefits available as a result.
He wrote: “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.”
After a meeting of their member nations CONCACAF confirmed their response. “Concacaf is a confederation united by the love of our game, where football comes first. Guided by this philosophy over the past ten years we have built, from the ground up, an organization founded on service, transparent governance, and the long-term stewardship of football.
“History has shown FIFA and the football family what happens when the custodians of the game lose sight of these values.
With this in mind, Concacaf today convened a meeting of the presidents of its 41 Member Associations, together with its President, Council members, and its FIFA Council members, to discuss a proposal developed and presented by the FIFA President to establish ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’ and sell interests in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.
“During the meeting, the membership expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies. In addition, the need for private equity investment to fund new and existing FIFA Forward programs following the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history was questioned.”
The 41 Concacaf nations decided on three courses of action in response to the proposal. They rejected the proposal and then:
- “Tasked their FIFA Council Members with engaging FIFA to determine how existing vast FIFA reserves could be used to increase FIFA Forward funding for football development across our region; and
- “Tasked their FIFA Council Members with instructing the FIFA President to ensure that any matter follows the proper governance processes via staff and FIFA Council, in accordance with the FIFA Statutes.
“Through these actions, Concacaf reaffirms that football’s future—and its greatest asset—must remain in the hands of our football family,” their statement finished.
Gianni Infantino wants to sell a World Cup stake (Image: Getty)
Earlier on Thursday, UEFA confirmed it would boycott FIFA competitions until the proposal is taken off the table. UEFA said that ‘its 55 member associations stand as one’ in a unanimous rejection of FIFA’s proposal ‘to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors’.
“This model has no place in world football,” they said in a statemetn. “Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain.
“Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.
“As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.
“Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.
“There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments.
Gianni Infantino is a controversial figure (Image: Getty)
“Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.”
The Football Association confirmed their support. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our European colleagues and fully support the collective view,” they said.
“We oppose FIFA’s plans – the FIFA World Cup belongs to football and always will.”
The Scottish FA also weighed in. The body said they “agree unequivocally with concerns raised by all members over the manner in which these proposals have been issued, and deadline set, without a full consultation process or consideration to good governance”.