Gianni Infantino talks through plans to sell stake in the World Cup as boycott threats continue
Gianni Infantino talks through his plans to sell a stake in the World Cup as boycott threats continue to emerge across the world.
FIFA have done their own interview with Infantino rather than face questions from the media.
He stated that football needs more commercial investment, saying the “proposal would unlock footballs potential”.
Gianni Infantino gave football associations until the 19th September supporting his plan to sell off part of FIFA to private investors with a $40m incentive to accept.
But the plan has been met with widespread criticism, with FA having deep concerns and UEFA even threatening to boycott the World Cup, with an emergency meeting of UEFA nations planned this week.
UEFA issued a further statement on FIFA plans, saying: “Today we have learned of FIFA’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn.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.”
FIFA and Infantino receive huge backlash for controversial plan to ‘sell the World Cup’
Gianni Infantino has created an arbitrary 53-day deadline to force through Member Association votes on contentious plans to sell FIFA stakes under a new subsidiary.
He calls this period a “democratic process”, but it’s one that is rushed and lacks transparency, and yet it has…
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 29, 2026
Infantino said: Well, FIFA Forward Enterprise or FFE is actually a proposal, an offer. It’s part of a democratic process, a consultation process. And above all, it is an opportunity, but not an obligation. And as I said, it kicks off the consultation process.
“If and only if. It is approved by the majority of our 211 member associations and the FIFA Council, it would be a FIFA-owned and controlled subsidiary consolidating FIFA’s commercial and event operations.
“It would simply commercialise and organise all FIFA-owned competitions, along with sponsorship, broadcast licensing a new venture for the benefit of FIFA’s 111 member associations, however, unlocking previously uncaptured commercial value.
“Too little of football’s growing commercial value reaches the parts of the game that need it most.
“Capturing that value requires additional expertise, additional insight, distinct from governing and developing the sport.
“FIFA has been transformed over the past decade through sweeping governance reforms and a major expansion of development and competitions.
“Strengthening the commercial side of the game is the natural next step in this evolution.
“We believe that the FFE proposal would unlock the sport’s potential in every corner of the world across men’s, women’s, and youth’s football.
“In the next forward cycle alone, distributions would rise from $8 million per Member Association (MA) to $20 million.
“Additionally, each MA would also have the option to access a further $20 million through the FIFA Fast Forward Program, taking the potential funding to $40 million per MA for this next cycle.
“It is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally. But again, it is just an offer, not an obligation. And we are having the fiduciary duty to do so. And we are here to discuss it with everyone.
“Well, the fans, remain the cornerstone of the beautiful game and the sport they watch and love will not change, obviously continues to govern football without any external interference and the flagship tournament it organises like FIFA World Cup or FIFA Women’s World Cup will always remain.
“More revenue returned to the member associations means more investment in better pitches, stronger national teams, and more pathways for young girls and young boys everywhere in the world.
“We care about everyone. So the benefits of sustained investments, they are already visible. A decade of raising support through FIFA Forward helped nations like Capo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan reach the FIFA World Cup for the very first time. We want to help creating the next Capo Verdes.
“Fans from the corners of these four countries of the world and many many other fans from everywhere in the world would gain immeasurably from this game-changing potential because it will transform football in their countries. But again, it is simply a choice for our members.”
Meanwhile, the Association of Tartan Army have written to SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell, who will be at the meeting, urging him to oppose the plans.
They stated, as reported by The Herald Scotland: “We’re asking the SFA to oppose and publicly speak out against any attempt by FIFA to privatise or sell off any part of our game, and to stand alongside UEFA and other European nations in resisting such moves.
“Scotland has always been more than just another football nation. We helped create the modern game, played the first ever international and have spent more than 150 years shaping football’s history. That gives us a responsibility to speak up when we believe football is heading in the wrong direction.
“After waiting 28 years to return to the World Cup, thousands of Scotland supporters travelled across North America to follow the team.
“In Boston and beyond, the Tartan Army showcased everything that’s good about Scottish football. Our supporters built friendships, worked with local communities and left behind a reputation that money simply can’t buy.
“But many also came home asking whether the World Cup is still being built for supporters.
“Fans faced some of the highest costs ever seen at a football tournament. Ticket prices were eye-watering, accommodation costs spiralled and commercial interests seemed to take priority over the match-going supporter.
“Football risks becoming a luxury rather than a game for everyone.
“The answer cannot be to hand even more control to private investors whose priority is delivering financial returns. That would only push the game further away from the people who made it what it is.
“UEFA has rightly recognised that supporters are key stakeholders in football, not just customers.
“We believe the SFA should champion that principle and be a strong voice at the forefront in protecting those values. Scottish football should be working with UEFA and other European nations to oppose any move that places private profit ahead of supporters.
“Football doesn’t belong to investors. It belongs to the fans.”
