The governing body of football is poised to spin off a $20 billion subsidiary that would be funded by private equity, a move that could reshape how the sport’s premier tournament is financed.
A bold financial gamble
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the president of the Asian Football Confederation, warned member federations that the plan jeopardizes the integrity of regional competitions, urging a collective refusal until due diligence is completed.
European football’s governing body, UEFA, is preparing a coordinated response, with an online meeting of its 55 national associations set to discuss whether to withdraw from FIFA‑run events if the proposal proceeds.
The initiative, backed by New York‑based investment vehicle Thrive Eternal, follows a record‑setting men’s World Cup in North America that lifted FIFA’s revenues to $15 billion over the past four years, prompting the organization to seek new sources of capital.
Infantino has offered member associations a one‑time $20 million investment and promised increased funding through 2038, but the proposal has already drawn criticism from domestic league groups in Europe and Asia, as well as from CONCACAF, which called the process “deeply concerning” for its lack of transparency.
The deadline for countries to accept the offer is September 19, after which investors are expected to transfer funds to FIFA by late October, a timeline that adds urgency to the upcoming vote on Infantino’s re‑election next March.