FIFA’s $20 billion privatization plan faces revolt from UEFA and Concacaf, raising questions about sports finance

FIFA President Gianni Infantino wants to carve out a $20 billion subsidiary and sell minority stakes to private investors. The people who actually run football’s biggest regional tournaments would like a word. UEFA, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation have all pushed back against the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new commercial entity designed to consolidate operations for the World Cup and Club World Cup. The plan aims to raise roughly $4.2 billion by offering 20-21% equity to outside investors, while FIFA retains majority ownership and control over governance, competitions, and regulatory decisions. A $20 million sweetener and a ticking clock FIFA president has set a September 19, 2026 deadline for national associations to approve the FFE plan. To sweeten the deal, he’s offering a one-time payment of $20 million to each association that signs on early, with future installments dangled as additional incentive. The stick is just as notable as the carrot. Associations that don’t support the plan could reportedly miss out on expanded funding opportunities projected to total around $10 billion. UEFA’s response was blunt. The European confederation called the proposal ...