FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s attempt to transform the organization’s financial model hit a sudden roadblock when he abandoned a scheme to sell a 20 percent stake in future World Cup profit revenues to private investors. The proposal, which had been under discussion for months, promised a massive cash infusion but quickly attracted criticism from across the soccer world.
At the heart of the plan was the creation of a new subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would manage broadcasting, sponsorship and hospitality rights for upcoming tournaments. The arrangement was designed to raise roughly $4.2 billion, with the proceeds earmarked to double the current $10 million annual grant to each of FIFA’s 211 member federations, eventually reaching $24 million by 2038.
The financial lure was accompanied by a political gamble. The consortium behind the deal included Thrive Eternal, a firm linked to Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared Kushner is married to Donald Trump’s daughter. The involvement of the Trump family added a layer of scrutiny that proved decisive, as the former president himself voiced opposition to the arrangement.
Mounting Opposition
European soccer federations, led by UEFA, issued a stark warning: they would boycott any FIFA competition that proceeded with the stake sale. Senior FIFA executives, including Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour, publicly criticized the proposal, while Infantino’s adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, labeling the deal a "bad one" for the sport.
The backlash was not limited to continental bodies. National leaders, including the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, voiced concerns that the plan threatened the balance of global soccer, risking fixture congestion and overburdening players. Critics warned that the financial restructuring could undermine domestic leagues, especially the UEFA Champions League, by diverting resources toward national federations.
Amid the turmoil, Infantino’s own election prospects grew uncertain. Although he had been re‑elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023, the November 18 deadline for candidate registration now loomed with potential challengers such as Nasser al‑Khelaïfi and Victor Montagliani emerging. The episode marked a rare moment of vulnerability for a leader who had previously enjoyed near‑total control over FIFA’s direction.
The collapse of the profit‑sharing scheme also raised broader questions about governance at world sport’s governing body. With the plan’s failure, the future of the FIFA Forward Enterprise remains unclear, and the organization must now confront how to fund its ambitious development programs without resorting to controversial private financing.