Why has Infantino scrapped FIFA’s World Cup investment plan? What to know
Summary
FIFA President Gianni Infantino canceled a plan to bring in private investors to share future World Cup profits after facing strong criticism. The plan would have allowed investors to buy part of a new company managing FIFA events, but many football officials and federations opposed it, fearing it would change the nature of the sport.Key Facts
- Infantino proposed creating FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to manage and profit from FIFA events like the World Cup.
- Private investors, led by Joshua Kushner, were invited to buy a 20% share in FFE, with a valuation of $20 billion.
- FIFA’s 211 member federations would receive increased funding, up to $24 million each by 2038, doubled from current amounts.
- Many football federations, including European, Asian, and North American bodies, opposed the plan.
- FIFA officials and some vice presidents accused Infantino of causing division and deception.
- Infantino announced he was abandoning the plan to avoid further discord among FIFA members.
- The investment proposal was the first major attempt to involve private capital in World Cup profits, a break from football’s traditional nonprofit model.
- Despite the controversy, Infantino had previously received strong support ahead of his likely re-election in March 2025.
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