World Cup for sale - Infantino planning to sell stakes to investors
EXCLUSIVE: Fifa's president Gianni Infantino is planning to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors under a scheme that could potentially earn him tens of millions of pounds.
Investor discussions held with figures close to the Trump administration, say sources.
https://x.com/martynziegler/status/2082094784642970076
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https://x.com/uefa/status/2082125178440401072
UEFA STATEMENT
"This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.
The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade - especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell."
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FIFA confirm highly controversial plans to form FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new body that would oversee commercial rights and operational delivery. It requires private stakeholders and funding. UEFA are strongly opposed, viewing it as FIFA President Gianni Infantino selling stakes in the game.It is understood Infantino is in line to be commissioner, likely after his expected election for one more term.FIFA will seek to raise capital of up to USD 4.2 billion and have approached Josh Kushner's Thrive Capital as one potential key investor.FIFA say "outside investors will have only a minority stake in FFE and will not play any operational role".FIFA also argue this is all with the intent of expanding "football development funding to over USD 10 billion", and is subject to approval by the 2011 Member Associations, who will have a period of consultation to discuss plans.FIFA add they will retain sole control of FFE and "exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions."In addition, FIFA hope to establish the FIFA Fast Forward Programme (FFFP). Under this plan, all 211 Member Associations will be given the opportunity to participate and "access up to USD 20 million in one-off capital".J.P. Morgan are working in partnership with FIFA on the project.UEFA will not support FFE. In a statement they say, "None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell."- Ben Jacobs on Twitter4
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Purely Infantino looking for a way to remain in the corrupt money trough … his arrogance is astounding18
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UEFA should break away from FIFA if they did that FIFA will crumble away to nothing they are a joke and not even trying to disguise their corruption now23
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AndyG said:UEFA should break away from FIFA if they did that FIFA will crumble away to nothing they are a joke and not even trying to disguise their corruption now
Agreed - no third party venture capitalists would want anything to do with the World Cup without the European nations. It would bust Infantino's flush.13 -
Does football need any more expansion? This is a terrible idea.Callumcafc said:...FIFA also argue this is all with the intent of expanding "football development funding to over USD 10 billion", and is subject to approval by the 2011 Member Associations, who will have a period of consultation to discuss plans....1 -
Josh Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald. Trump and his family all making billions of dollars whilst they can.
I bet very little of this money will go to grass roots football.24 -
Doesn’t fifa literally have billions in “reserve”? Yet more money grabbing.2
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If all the big nations say no it’s a non starter, like the break away club league0
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I literally couldn't give a toss anymore unfortunately, they aren't fit for purpose and are all in it for themselves and personal gain, much like all the politicians of the world, and many of the other big sport governing bodies, look at the FIA for instance, or the IOC, or the WBO... I could go on1
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I feel the same cos as a fan there’s fuck all we can do apart from ‘not watch it’. Gotta put faith in the FA’s of each nation but that’s a shit position to be in cos they can’t be trusted eithersam3110 said:I literally couldn't give a toss anymore unfortunately, they aren't fit for purpose and are all in it for themselves and personal gain, much like all the politicians of the world, and many of the other big sport governing bodies, look at the FIA for instance, or the IOC, or the WBO... I could go on3 -
But just enough to get a majority of the 211 members to vote for it.ME14addick said:Josh Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald. Trump and his family all making billions of dollars whilst they can.
I bet very little of this money will go to grass roots football.
Its great that UEFA have made a strong early stand. They seem to hold the cards here.4 -
Infantino's head could be described as a sniper's dream. Just saying.2
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Oh, for a grassy knole.IdleHans said:Infantino's head could be described as a sniper's dream. Just saying.1 -
FIFA's proposed bodies: FFE and FFFP.
Briston response: FFS.11 -
Shock0
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A mate said this in the pub earlier and I though he was being facetiousCallumcafc said:EXCLUSIVE: Fifa's president Gianni Infantino is planning to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors under a scheme that could potentially earn him tens of millions of pounds.
Investor discussions held with figures close to the Trump administration, say sources.0 -
The biggest issue that needs to be overcome in holding FIFA to task is the current voting system. There are 35 member associations within UEFA but there isn't a block vote system - each individual member association acts independently are far as voting is concerned - they have one vote each. For a European boycott of FIFA's World Cup all of the big nations within Europe would have to withdraw. I'm not sure they would.Even if there was a block vote for UEFA - they represent 35 national associations as part of FIFA's 211 member associations (16.5%) - the bulk are made up of so-called developing football nations who would easily be swayed by the promise of untold money. It's the reason Blatter, Havelange before him, and now Infantino will keep getting re-electedFIFA also control all international transfers.3
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bobmunro said:The biggest issue that needs to be overcome in holding FIFA to task is the current voting system. There are 35 member associations within UEFA but there isn't a block vote system - each individual member association acts independently are far as voting is concerned - they have one vote each. For a European boycott of FIFA's World Cup all of the big nations within Europe would have to withdraw. I'm not sure they would.Even if there was a block vote for UEFA - they represent 35 national associations as part of FIFA's 211 member associations (16.5%) - the bulk are made up of so-called developing football nations who would easily be swayed by the promise of untold money. It's the reason Blatter, Havelange before him, and now Infantino will keep getting re-electedFIFA also control all international transfers.
Italy might see it as opportunity to qualify for the finals at last ...8 -
Stinky stinky stinkbomb1
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Your right about the developing countries Bob of course but I’m sure if the big European countries walked it wouldn’t take long to get resolved and in terms of them controlling international transfers I can’t imagine the likes of the Brazilian or Argentinian players for example forsaking their big money move to Europe in order to comply with FIFA that ain’t never happening imobobmunro said:The biggest issue that needs to be overcome in holding FIFA to task is the current voting system. There are 35 member associations within UEFA but there isn't a block vote system - each individual member association acts independently are far as voting is concerned - they have one vote each. For a European boycott of FIFA's World Cup all of the big nations within Europe would have to withdraw. I'm not sure they would.Even if there was a block vote for UEFA - they represent 35 national associations as part of FIFA's 211 member associations (16.5%) - the bulk are made up of so-called developing football nations who would easily be swayed by the promise of untold money. It's the reason Blatter, Havelange before him, and now Infantino will keep getting re-electedFIFA also control all international transfers.6 -
If UEFA and the major football nations stand up to this, it will collapse.One thing football does not need is further capitalisation - especially when the money is likely to end up in the wrong hands.8
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Pretty sure if just England, Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands withdrew that would fuck FIFA completely. Nobody is going to give a shit about a world cup without them - and most importantly for FIFA, commercial entities won't bother with it. As soon as there's a chance that Coke and McDonald's won't be pumping hundreds of millions into it any more, Infantino will be told by everyone who has their snout in the trough to can the idea.bobmunro said:The biggest issue that needs to be overcome in holding FIFA to task is the current voting system. There are 35 member associations within UEFA but there isn't a block vote system - each individual member association acts independently are far as voting is concerned - they have one vote each. For a European boycott of FIFA's World Cup all of the big nations within Europe would have to withdraw. I'm not sure they would.Even if there was a block vote for UEFA - they represent 35 national associations as part of FIFA's 211 member associations (16.5%) - the bulk are made up of so-called developing football nations who would easily be swayed by the promise of untold money. It's the reason Blatter, Havelange before him, and now Infantino will keep getting re-electedFIFA also control all international transfers.7 -
The concern I have is that FIFA/Infantino will surely have an idea to ensure a significant enough amount of it ends up in the hands of federations so that they could never say "no" to it.Blucher said:If UEFA and the major football nations stand up to this, it will collapse.One thing football does not need is further capitalisation - especially when the money is likely to end up in the wrong hands.
When the awfully small allocations for registered supporters and extortionate prices were announced for the recent World Cup - our FA didn't say a word in retaliation. Infact, I'm not sure anyone said anything about it - certainly no major nations.
The English FA desperately want the Womens World Cup in 2035, which they are the front runners to get, so they're not willing to upset anyone right now.
And the likes of Africa, South America etc know full well that they can't really get by without FIFA's power - so they'll always back them.
Sadly, I just don't think there is a solution out of this that doesn't involve more of football's soul being sold. But I struggle with the concept of this being the thing that 'crosses the line' if UEFA's eyes. Capitalism has been rotting the game for decades now. Some will even go as far back as the creation of the Premier League in 1992.
And whilst the 'Euros' is generally a more fan friendly experience cost-wise, you can't tell me that the likes of the 'UEFA Conference League' weren't put together just to try and drive more revenue out of the most unnecessary corner?
Why does anyone think a stop can realistically be put to it now? The fact that the rich Americans have just seen how big a deal this is has made that fight a hundred times harder.
The horse bolted a long time ago. And the majority of people outside of our 'old school' English/European way of thinking in Asia and the USA will have no issue with this as it will bring them closer to the game, even if it pushes us away. We're rapidly becoming the minority I fear.7 -
https://news.sky.com/story/uefa-fury-as-fifa-boss-wants-to-sell-shares-in-world-cup-spin-off-venture-13567834
European nations are discussing boycotting the World Cup if Gianni Infantino pushes ahead with plans to sell off part of FIFA to private investors, Sky News can reveal.
UEFA nations will hold an emergency meeting virtually this week to discuss their opposition to FIFA’s attempt to launch a new commercial company with external investment, a source said.
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These people will bleed football and its supporters dry while they grow fat on their investments. If the bromance between Trump and Infantino didn't stink before it absolutely reeks now. I hope UEFA have the balls to stand firm ...ME14addick said:Josh Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald. Trump and his family all making billions of dollars whilst they can.
I bet very little of this money will go to grass roots football.8 -
All about money and nothing to do with football. The corruption stinks....6
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In a word……..shameful.2
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https://x.com/concacafmedia/status/2082375612732166168
Concacaf Statement Regarding the Proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise
"Concacaf was only made aware of this matter through media reports and, subsequently, via a media release.
We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process.
We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place.
As leaders within football, we are the custodians of the game. Collectively, FIFA, the Confederations and every Member Association have a responsibility to always act in the best interests of the sport. Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, robust processes and long-term stewardship.
This is the framework within which Concacaf operates. We trust that all within the FIFA family will act in the same manner.”
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https://www.thefa.com/news/2026/jul/29/statement-fifa-world-cup-proposal-20262907
We have issued the following statement in response to media reports regarding the FIFA World Cup:
“We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.
“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.
“When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further.”
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