FIFA defiant over World Cup investment plan, despite UEFA’s vote to boycott

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, reported that FIFA says it will continue consultations on a proposal to bring private investment into the World Cup and other FIFA competitions despite sharp opposition from major regional football bodies. The Switzerland-based governing body, led by President Gianni Infantino, said on Friday that disputed media coverage had interfered with its process but that each member association should be able to assess and vote on the plan.

The proposal would create a $20bn subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to manage the World Cup and other events, with as much as 20% of the entity open to outside investors. FIFA said Thrive Eternal, linked to Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Capital, is expected to lead the potential investor group. Infantino also told football associations this week that each would receive $40m if they approved the proposal by September 19, according to the report.

UEFA has led the backlash, with its 55 member nations voting unanimously on Thursday to boycott FIFA tournaments if the plans proceed. CONCACAF, representing North America, Central America and the Caribbean, rejected the proposal but did not issue a boycott threat. The Asian Football Confederation also warned members that the project could not succeed without support from all six regional confederations.

FIFA said it would not move forward without backing from a majority of its 211 member associations and rejected the idea that football was being sold. The dispute matters because it raises fundamental questions about control of the sport’s most valuable tournaments, future revenue distribution and whether private capital should have a role in competitions widely viewed as part of the global game’s public identity.