Infantino offers FIFA members $40m to back investment plan
by The Eagle Online · The Eagle OnlineFIFA president Gianni Infantino has offered up to $40 million to each of the governing body’s 211 member associations in a bid to secure support for his controversial proposal to sell minority stakes in FIFA’s major competitions.
According to a five-page letter seen by the BBC on Wednesday, member associations that approve the proposal by September 19 will receive an initial $20 million from January 1, 2027, with another $20 million to follow.
The proposal centres on the creation of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a commercial subsidiary that would oversee the governing body’s flagship competitions, including the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Under the plan, external investors would be allowed to acquire minority stakes in the new company, while FIFA said the initial funding would come from “liquidating a minority portion” of its ownership in FIFA Forward Enterprise.
Infantino said the initiative has the potential to generate as much as $10 billion to boost football development across the world.
“It is my duty and responsibility as FIFA president to present such game-changing opportunities to you, our members.
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“It is equally my duty and responsibility to ensure such proposals are sufficiently complete and feasible, replete with substantiated figures and clear terms to assist you in the decision-making process,” Infantino wrote.
The proposal, however, has continued to face growing opposition from football stakeholders, who have questioned both the governance process and the possible influence of private investors over the sport’s biggest competitions.
The Football Association said it was not consulted before the proposal was unveiled and criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the initiative.
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 fully and transparently now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear and comment further.”
The latest development comes less than 24 hours after FIFA’s investment proposal sparked widespread criticism from football authorities across Europe, Asia and North America, with opponents warning that the move could reshape the governance and commercial future of the global game.
UEFA’s 55 member associations are expected to hold an emergency meeting later this week to discuss the proposal and determine their collective position on the planned sale of minority stakes in FIFA’s commercial operations.
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