2026-07-29 08:48:20

FIFA’s proposals to seek private investment in the World Cup have been met with anger from the world of football.

The sport’s governing body has revealed plans to expand “football development funding” to over $10 billion and to invite third-party investment in its competitions.

In a statement outlining the proposals, FIFA says it will “invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments” in a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to “consolidate” commercial and event operations.

The plan needs to be approved by the governing body’s 211 member nations but FIFA says that Thrive Eternal – a venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner (the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner) – is expected to lead the investment group should approval be granted.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino argues that every nation should benefit from the money football generates.

He said: “Parts of the game have turned that popularity into remarkable commercial value – and we celebrate that success and want it to continue, because it lifts the whole game.

“Our job is to make sure the rest of football grows with it: FIFA exists to support sustainable, inclusive development in every corner of the world.”

However, the plans have been condemned by European football’s governing body UEFA, who argue that “none of us are the owners of football”.

UEFA said: “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.

“UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder who cares about the future of the game.

“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also hit out at the plans and suggested that going ahead with the proposals means that FIFA would have “sold out”.

He posted on X: “Let me say this very directly. Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.

“The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out.

“Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.”

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