FIFA is preparing to spin off a $20 billion subsidiary that will take charge of its flagship competitions, most notably the World Cup, and open up to a 20 percent stake for outside investors.
A bold financial gamble
The initiative, championed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino as a means of redistributing soccer’s wealth on a global scale, has been met with a stark warning from UEFA, which said the plan amounts to putting the sport’s ‘soul’ up for sale.
Under the proposal, member associations would receive an immediate $20 million grant for special projects, with additional payments scheduled for each subsequent four‑year cycle, while the new entity would generate revenue from broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals and other commercial arrangements.
The financial scale of the plan is underscored by FIFA’s existing earnings, which run into the billions from media rights and sponsorship, and by the fact that European football competitions alone generated more than €40 billion in the 2024/25 season, with the Big Five leagues accounting for just over half of that total.
Historical backdrop
Critics such as La Liga president Javier Tebas have labeled the scheme as destructive to the game, while the historical precedent set by former FIFA president João Havelange — who expanded the tournament and gave greater voice to Africa, Asia and Latin America — shows a long‑standing ambition to shift the sport’s financial centre away from Europe.
Eric Windholz, an associate professor at Monash University, suggests the model could be especially appealing to countries in the Global South, but the Asian Football Confederation has said it was unaware of the proposal until FIFA made the announcement public.