European soccer bodies push back against FIFA's private‑equity plan
A coalition of European football nations, together with the North American confederation CONCACAF, has announced a coordinated boycott of FIFA competitions in protest of President Gianni Infantino's proposal to monetize major tournaments through private‑equity investment.
The move follows a meeting of UEFA's 55 member associations, which voted to stay out of upcoming FIFA events until the scheme is abandoned. UEFA issued a statement warning that the plan, dubbed the FIFA Forward Enterprise, represents a failure of leadership and an abdication of the organization's duty to protect the sport.
CONCACAF echoed the sentiment, citing concerns over due process and a short deadline that left little room for consultation. The confederation's president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, publicly criticized FIFA's unilateral actions, adding pressure on Infantino's administration.
FIFA later released a clarification saying the Forward Enterprise would not be launched without the explicit support of its member associations, effectively pausing the initiative. The governing body also confirmed that the next major tournament on the calendar will be the Women's Under‑20 World Cup in Poland, scheduled for September 5.
In the wake of the controversy, Infantino has offered a $20 million payment to each of FIFA's 211 member federations if they endorse the private‑equity model by mid‑September. The proposal is being championed by a New York investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner, whose firm would serve as the core investor.
European officials have voiced strong opposition to the idea of external investors owning stakes in FIFA competitions, arguing that it could compromise sporting integrity and exacerbate financial inequality among nations. The backlash has also raised questions about Infantino's future, with a presidential election set for March of next year.
Adding to the scrutiny, the Asian Football Confederation has joined the criticism, while Football Supporters Europe has called for greater transparency and fan involvement in decision‑making. The episode underscores a growing rift between FIFA's leadership and the continental bodies that govern the sport.
Meanwhile, the United States, through its soccer federation, is positioning itself as a potential host for future FIFA events, including a bid to stage the 2035 Women's World Cup, which currently has only four British federations as contenders.