FIFA said it will continue consultations on plans to introduce private capital into the World Cup and other tournaments, despite the European football body UEFA threatening a boycott and other regional confederations raising strong objections. In a statement released early Friday (European time), the Switzerland-based organization stressed that inaccurate media reports had disrupted the planned consultation process, but insisted it would proceed.
“We will carry out this consultation process to ensure that every member association can express its vote based on facts,” FIFA's statement read.
FIFA is pushing to create a $20 billion subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to run the World Cup and other events, with 20% of shares reserved for outside investors. According to FIFA, the Thrive Eternal fund, managed by Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital, is expected to lead the investor group. Joshua is the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
UEFA has led the wave of criticism, accusing FIFA of selling off the “soul” of football. On Thursday, UEFA's 55 member nations unanimously voted to boycott all FIFA competitions if the plan proceeds, less than two weeks after Spain won the World Cup.
FIFA rejected that view: “Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would consider. Everyone has the right to express opposition and seek clarification, but no single entity can claim to represent 211 member associations. Each association should be allowed to review the proposal and have a voice in shaping their own future. That is FIFA's democratic principle.”
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) rejected the proposal during its meeting on Thursday, but the 41-member body did not issue a boycott threat like UEFA. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also sent a sharply critical letter to its 47 member associations, warning the proposal would never succeed without the support of all six regional blocs.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent a letter to all football associations this week, offering each association $40 million if they agreed to the proposal before September 19. UEFA and CONCACAF together have 96 associations, just under half of FIFA's 211 members. FIFA stressed it would not proceed with the plan without the support of a majority of member associations. “These principles are the foundation of the FFE proposal: unprecedented development funding, true global ownership of the sport's commercial opportunities, and self-determination through a democratic process for all associations,” FIFA added.
Former Spanish World Cup winner Xabi Alonso, now head coach of Chelsea, told reporters in Sydney that football must prioritize fans, not private interests. “That's how we love football, and we just saw a great World Cup. If things stay that way, it's good. We have to protect the interests of everyone. This is the common feeling among people in football. We want to keep football for the fans, for everyone, not for other interests. Hopefully this won't happen.”
