FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed selling minority stakes in…
FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed selling minority stakes in a new company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would control the World Cup and Club World Cup, to private investors, including a fund linked to Jared Kushner’s family, sparking backlash from European football associations over lack of transparency and concerns about commercialization of football.
Consensus
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino plans to create a new company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage the men's and women's World Cups and the Club World Cup.
- The company will sell minority stakes (20% to 30%) to private investors.
- FIFA will retain a controlling share in the new company.
- All 211 national football associations within FIFA will receive approximately $20 million each, which they can keep or sell.
- The project requires approval by a simple majority of FIFA member associations and the FIFA Council.
- The next FIFA Congress, scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Morocco, will decide on the proposal.
- The investment group will be led by Thrive Eternal, a structure linked to Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner.
- JP Morgan Chase is serving as a financial advisor to the project.
- The company is valued at around $20 billion.
- The initiative has been criticized by UEFA for lacking transparency and for treating football as a commodity.
Points of divergence
- Infantino promised national associations up to $40 million over the 2027–2030 cycle, in addition to the $20 million stake. — meduza
- Infantino may become commissioner of the new company after his presidency ends in 2031. — meduza
- Some European federations began promoting alternative candidates for FIFA president after the project was announced. — meduza
- The proposed stake sale ranges from 20% to 30%, while Meduza reports up to 20%. — kommersant
- Infantino is expected to be re-elected without opposition in 2027. — kommersant
Coverage (2 sources)
- FIFA President Wants to Sell Share in World Cup and Hand Control of Finances to Trump's Relative. Football Officials from Around the World Oppose — They Were Not Even Notified — Meduza
- FIFA President Infantino Plans to Sell Share of Commercial Rights for the World Cup — Коммерсантъ
Key entities
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