A controversial proposal
FIFA’s latest proposal seeks to carve out a new commercial entity that would control its flagship tournaments, including the World Cup, and offer up to a 20% stake to private investors, a move that could generate as much as $4.2 billion.
Reactions from Europe and North America
The suggestion was met with swift condemnation from UEFA, which warned that such a transaction would amount to selling the “soul” of football, while CONCACAF echoed the sentiment, both fearing erosion of the sport’s global governance.
Jim Boyce, the former vice‑president, described the plan as “ludicrous” and argued that it runs counter to FIFA’s non‑profit mission, emphasizing that the organization must safeguard the game’s accessibility rather than chase revenue from investors.
Governance and electoral stakes
Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Gianni Infantino, resigned shortly after the announcement, labeling the deal a “bad deal for football.” Infantino, who is set to face re‑election in March 2025 after two unopposed terms since 2016, has defended the initiative as necessary for modernising the sport’s financial base.
Ticket prices, VAR and political interference
Boyce also took aim at the growing influence of VAR, insisting that video assistance should be limited to clear‑cut referee errors, and he criticised the exorbitant ticket prices being considered for the 2026 World Cup co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, which he said alienate ordinary fans.
The controversy was further amplified when former U.S. president Donald Trump intervened to overturn a one‑match ban on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, a move that many saw as political meddling in football affairs.
In a final appeal, Boyce urged FIFA to refocus on promoting the sport for the average supporter, warning that prioritising commercial interests risks alienating the very audience that sustains the game.