UEFA Considers World Cup Boycott Over FIFA Investment Plan - forbes.com

What the report says

Forbes reported that FIFA plans to put a major commercialization proposal to its 211 member associations, asking them in September to approve the sale of minority stakes tied to a new company overseeing FIFA’s commercial and event operations. FIFA confirmed it is seeking to raise $4.2 billion for the entity, called FIFA Forward Enterprise, at a $20 billion equity valuation. Under the proposal, each member association would receive $20 million if the deal is approved, with FIFA saying it would keep majority ownership and retain authority over competition scheduling, governance and regulatory matters.

The investor group would be led by Thrive Eternal, a fund created by Josh Kushner’s Thrive Capital, while JPMorgan bankers are advising FIFA, according to Forbes. Multiple outlets reported that FIFA president Gianni Infantino set a September 19 voting deadline for associations seeking access to the immediate funding. The plan requires approval from a majority of FIFA’s member associations.

The proposal has triggered sharp pushback from major regional soccer bodies. Forbes cited reports that UEFA was not briefed before FIFA’s announcement and planned an emergency virtual meeting, with European officials reportedly considering whether to threaten a boycott of FIFA events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup. UEFA later said opposition to the plan was growing and criticized the deadline tied to the $20 million payment.

CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation also said they had not been properly consulted, while England’s Football Association said it lacked substantive details. The dispute matters because it could reshape how global soccer’s most valuable competitions are commercialized and intensify long-running tensions over FIFA’s governance, transparency and revenue distribution.