Gianni Infantino has told the heads of Fifa’s 211 member associations that they could miss out on a $30m payment if they do not back his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, and has given them just 53 days to decide.
On Tuesday, Fifa revealed plans to create a new subsidiary to manage the commercial rights and delivery of the World Cup and other major tournaments, with Infantino confirming that the new company - ‘Fifa Forward Enterprises (FFE)’ - would be open to external capital investment.
Infantino’s plans have been heavily criticised by Uefa, who accused Fifa of looking to sell the game’s “soul”, while The Independent understands the threat of a boycott is being discussed by senior European figures. The proposals, though, only require a majority vote, of above 50 per cent, from the 211 Fifa members as well as backing from the Fifa Council.
In a letter to the member associations, seen by The Independent, Infantino has promised that national federations would benefit from an increase of its ‘Fifa Forward’ funding from around $8m to $20m for the upcoming four-year cycle between 2027 and 2031 if the new FFE subsidiary is created.
Additionally, the letter states that a “one-off” payment of another $20m would be made available for member associations who vote for Infantino’s proposals on 19 September. In the letter, member associations are then warned that their funding for the 2027-2031 cycle would only stand at $10m if the vote does not pass, meaning they would miss out on $30m.
The member associations were also informed, via Fifa’s press release, that they could expect further increases in future cycles, rising to $24m by 2035 to 2038. Thrive Eternal, led Joshua Kushner, the brother of US president Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, are set to lead the new investment, which Fifa said could raise $4.2bn.
The president of the Czech Football Association, David Trunda, told Sky News on Wednesday that he could see the “positive impact” of Infantino’s plan as well as the “pragmatic benefits for Czech football”.
Many of the world’s smaller countries, especially those outside of Europe, are more dependent on funding from Fifa to run their national teams, develop long-term grassroots projects and and invest in infrastructure, like pitches, academies and stadiums. Before this year’s World Cup, Infantino claimed that “without Fifa, there would be no football in 150 countries in the world”.
Infantino used that claim to justify Fifa’s ticket prices for this World Cup, saying that increase tournament revenues would led to more investment in football around the world. Infantino is seeking reelection as Fifa president ahead of the 2027-2031 cycle and has said that Fifa will explore the possibility of increasing the size of the World Cup to 64 teams.
A further statement from Uefa on the $40m windfalls said: “Today we have learned of Fifa’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan.
“But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, Uefa knows there is significant and growing opposition to Fifa’s scheme. Fifa cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends. We can grow the game correctly. It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”
Uefa is set to hold an emergency with its 55 member associations this week and the FA expressed its “deep concern” after it was blindsided by Fifa’s proposals. Concacaf, football’s governing body for North America, has also criticised the plans, but Infantino has many allies across the African, South American, and Asian federations.
An FA spokeswoman said: “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.
“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.
“When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by Fifa, we will make our views clear, and comment further.”
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