A controversial financial overhaul
FIFA has announced an ambitious plan to spin off a $20 billion subsidiary that would oversee the organization of the World Cup and a suite of other international competitions. The move is designed to unlock capital by offering minority stakes to private investors, with the immediate target of raising as much as $4.2 billion to fund development programmes and infrastructure projects.
The proposal has drawn sharp rebukes from the continental governing bodies. Both CONCACAF, which administers soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have publicly criticised FIFA for unveiling the scheme without prior consultation, warning that the lack of transparency could undermine confidence in the governing body.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter added his voice to the dissent, condemning the commercialisation of the World Cup and questioning whether the financial engineering would compromise the tournament’s sporting integrity.
Reactions across continents
In contrast, David Trunda, president of the Czech Football Association, suggested that the new structure could bring tangible benefits to smaller federations, potentially easing access to funding and resources.
UEFA has been particularly vocal, accusing FIFA of placing profit considerations above the sport’s integrity and hinting at the possibility of convening an emergency meeting to dissect the proposal in detail.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has set a deadline for member associations to endorse the plan, insisting that a simple majority — over half of FIFA’s 211 members — must approve the initiative before it can move forward.
National football associations across Europe, the Americas and Africa have echoed the concerns, demanding clearer terms and a more inclusive decision‑making process. The debate underscores a growing rift between FIFA’s financial ambitions and the sport’s traditional governance values.