FIFA scrambles controversial World Cup investment scheme
FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced on Tuesday that a proposed scheme to sell shares in the organisation’s flagship tournaments – including the 2026 and 2030 World Cups – would not proceed, owing to widespread opposition from member associations and confederations.
The idea, presented on a 25‑page proposal by investment bank JP Morgan, would have created a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) in which private investors could purchase minority stakes. If a federation accepted the draft, it could receive an initial £15 million, with a potential payout that could reach €24 million per association in the 2035–39 cycle.
Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation all voted against or rejected the plan, with 136 votes foreseeing a boycott of World Cups. The move angered senior FIFA officials – COO Kevin Lamour referred to the project as “one person’s idea” – and prompted the resignation of chief adviser Carlos Cordeiro. The UK Prime Minister called Infantino “the wrong man” to lead FIFA.
According to Infantino, the plan had created divisions that were no longer in the best interests of football. “Nobody is selling football,” he said, and stated that the project would not go ahead. He said that he would now seek to unite stakeholders “in the spirit of shared interest.”
If the presidency of FIFA matures next March, Infantino's future becomes uncertain as he faces potential withdrawal of member support and a march toward the 77th Congress in Morocco.
