FIFA has confirmed its intention to move forward with a consultation regarding a proposed private investment plan, despite facing significant opposition from various football associations. The governing body emphasized its commitment to an "open and democratic" process, allowing all member associations to weigh in on the proposal.

FIFA Responds to Criticism

In a statement, FIFA addressed the backlash against its plan to permit private investors to acquire stakes in future World Cup tournaments, asserting, "Nobody is selling football." The organization reiterated that it would not consider any actions that compromise the integrity of the sport. FIFA called for a consultation that would enable every member association to evaluate the proposal and express their opinions.

Opposition from UEFA and CONCACAF

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has threatened to boycott the World Cup in response to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal. Following UEFA's stance, the football federations of CONCACAF, which includes North and Central America, also expressed unanimous opposition. UEFA represents 55 member associations, while CONCACAF has 41, contributing to the overall count of 211 member associations under FIFA. For the proposal to be approved, it requires a simple majority vote.

Details of the Investment Plan

FIFA's proposed plan, announced earlier, could potentially generate up to $4.2 billion, based on a valuation of $20 billion for the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the commercial entity intended to manage events like the World Cup. Should the plan receive approval, it could provide each of FIFA's 211 member associations with a one-time payment of $20 million in early 2027, while also increasing their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million. The proposal allows private investors to acquire minority stakes, with a maximum of 20% available to external investors.

Despite the challenges ahead, FIFA remains determined to continue the consultation process, aiming to clarify the details and address any misunderstandings stemming from media reports.