UEFA Rejects FIFA’s Plan to Sell World Cup Stakes to Private Investors
UEFA and 55 associations unite to reject FIFA's controversial proposal to privatize the World Cup. A huge fight over football’s future!
UEFA and its 55 member associations have come together to unanimously reject FIFA's controversial proposal to hand over ownership stakes of the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.
The decision followed an emergency online meeting on Thursday, sparked by revelations from The Times reporter Martyn Ziegler, who revealed FIFA's initial plan for the FIFA Forward Enterprise—a $20 billion entity intended to manage the World Cup and related events with up to 20% ownership sold to external financiers.
UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.
— UEFA
The European governing body warned that treating the World Cup like an investment commodity threatens the very essence of football’s heritage, which has been nurtured globally over generations by countless players, teams, and fans.
The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.
— UEFA
UEFA criticized FIFA for the secrecy around the initiative and lack of consultation with key stakeholders.
It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.
— UEFA
This FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal involves partnering with American bank J.P. Morgan Chase and includes backing from Josh Kushner, a notable investor connected to the U.S. President's family. The venture would kick off on January 1, pending approval by the majority of FIFA’s 211 members and the FIFA Council.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino circulated a letter detailing a $10 billion funding offer, promising $40 million to each association that backs the plan. Associations opposing it would face a significant decrease, receiving about $2.7 billion collectively—roughly a 75% reduction.
UEFA expressed alarm over the prospect of external investors shaping football's future.
The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.
— UEFA
This model has no place in world football. Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain.
— UEFA
we must not allow football to become a plaything for investors
— Bernd Neuendorf
UEFA reinforced Europe's firm rejection, making it crystal clear that no European team will take part in any FIFA event while these plans linger.
Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.
— UEFA
As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.
— UEFA
Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.
— UEFA
Member associations must decide by September 19 whether to approve FIFA's Forward Enterprise. Infantino, aiming for a second term in 2027, is expected to take on a role within the enterprise comparable to that of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who currently earns $64 million annually—ten times Infantino’s current reported earnings.
UEFA called this an unprecedented moment in its history, underscoring the importance of standing firm.
There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments. Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.
— UEFA
