FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced on July 20 that he would abandon a contentious plan to sell private‑equity stakes in the organization’s future World Cup earnings, a move that followed a rapid and coordinated backlash from European soccer’s governing body and a host of national associations.
The scheme, which envisioned a $4.2 billion subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise that would capture revenue from broadcasting, sponsorship and other commercial activities, had been championed by Infantino as a way to double the $10 million annual grant to member federations and increase it to $24 million by 2038.
A proposal that divided world football
Under the proposal, each of the 211 FIFA members would have received an upfront payment of $20 million, a figure that would rise over time, while private investors — including Thrive Eternal, the firm founded by Joshua Kushner — were slated to hold a 20 percent stake in the new entity.
European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, issued a stark warning, declaring that it would boycott all FIFA competitions unless the plan was withdrawn, citing concerns that private capital could undermine the sport’s integrity and disrupt the balance between continental and global competitions.
The pressure extended beyond UEFA; FIFA’s chief operating officer Kevin Lamour publicly criticized the arrangement, and Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned, calling the deal “a bad one” for the sport.
National leagues and fan groups worldwide also voiced opposition, arguing that the influx of private equity could prioritize profit over the grassroots development that has long defined international football.
Infantino’s traditional support base in Africa remained largely neutral, while CONMEBOL, led by FIFA vice president Alejandro Dominguez, agreed to evaluate the proposal rigorously before any further steps.
The fallout has left Infantino’s future in office uncertain, with speculation that his unopposed re‑elections in 2019 and 2023 could face a serious challenge in the upcoming vote, potentially from figures such as Nasser al‑Khelaïfi and Victor Montagliani.