FIFA stands firm on private investment plan despite UEFA boycott threat

FIFA has defended its proposed private investment plan, insisting that football’s global governing body is not “selling football” despite growing opposition from UEFA, which has threatened to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions over the proposal.

In a statement issued on Friday, FIFA reaffirmed its commitment to an “open and democratic” consultation process with its 211 member associations, saying every federation would have the opportunity to examine the proposal and vote based on accurate information.

The response comes after UEFA announced that its member associations were prepared to boycott FIFA competitions if the world football body proceeds with plans to establish a commercial subsidiary to manage its flagship tournaments while allowing private investors to acquire stakes in the entity.

FIFA dismissed suggestions that the proposal amounts to selling control of the sport.

“Nobody is selling football,” the governing body said.

“This is not something the FIFA world ever entertains.”

According to FIFA, it has already received feedback from several continental confederations, including UEFA and CONCACAF, the governing body for North and Central America, and remains committed to engaging all stakeholders before any final decision is taken.

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“We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation,” the statement read.

FIFA also blamed what it described as inaccurate media reports for disrupting the consultation process.

“Our planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports. We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each member association has the ability to express its vote based on facts,” the organisation said.

Under the proposal, FIFA would establish the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial subsidiary valued at approximately $20 billion, with the sale of minority stakes to private investors expected to generate up to $4.2 billion.

The governing body said proceeds from the investment would be channelled into football development worldwide.

If approved by member associations, each of FIFA’s 211 national federations would receive a one-time payment of $20 million in early 2027. In addition, FIFA plans to increase its funding allocation to each association from $8 million to $20 million for the 2027–2030 funding cycle.

The proposal has, however, sparked sharp divisions within world football, with UEFA warning that commercialising FIFA’s flagship competitions through private investment could fundamentally alter the governance and future of the global game.

The consultation process is expected to continue in the coming months before FIFA’s member associations decide whether to approve the landmark funding initiative