A coalition of 55 European soccer federations has issued an unequivocal warning: unless FIFA abandons its plan to sell a 20% stake in a new $20 billion commercial vehicle, they will boycott every World Cup tournament, both men’s and women’s, for the foreseeable future.
The FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal
Under the scheme, dubbed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the governing body would create a separate commercial entity that could attract outside investors for the first time. The initial target investor is Thrive Eternal, a venture backed by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, who is already linked to former White House adviser Donald Trump through his son‑in‑law role. The move is presented by FIFA as a way for member associations to tap additional revenue while preserving the sport’s governance.
Opposition from Europe and beyond
UEFA described the proposal as “irresponsible and indefensible,” accusing FIFA of bypassing proper governance procedures. The European bodies, together with CONCACAF, which represents 41 nations in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, issued a joint statement insisting that no European national teams would participate in any FIFA‑sanctioned competition while the plan remains under consideration. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani has emerged as a potential successor to Gianni Infantino should the Swiss‑born president be forced out.
Implications for upcoming tournaments
The fallout could ripple into the immediate calendar, jeopardising the scheduled Women’s U‑20 World Cup in Poland and the senior Women’s World Cup in Brazil next summer. Member associations were asked to sign off on the FFE arrangement by September 19, with supporters promised up to $40 million in development funding ahead of the 2030 World Cup. So far, at least 90 of FIFA’s 211 federations have voiced opposition, according to Sky News.
Gianni Infantino, who has held the FIFA presidency since 2016, now faces the most serious challenge of his tenure. His right‑hand man, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned in protest, while U.S. Soccer has publicly rejected the plan. The growing dissent underscores a broader tension between commercial expansion and the traditional governance model that has defined world football for decades.