Overview
- Multiple outlets reported and FIFA confirmed on Tuesday that it is consulting on creating FIFA Forward Enterprise, a subsidiary to centralize commercial rights for the men’s World Cup, women’s World Cup and Club World Cup.
- FIFA gave a preliminary valuation of about $20 billion and said it aims to raise up to $4.2 billion this year by selling only minority stakes while keeping sporting control and reinvesting proceeds into development programs.
- The governing body named Thrive Eternal, linked to Joshua Kushner, as leading the potential investor group and J.P. Morgan as financial adviser, a pairing that drew scrutiny because of public ties between Kushner family members and President Donald Trump.
- UEFA issued an immediate and forceful public rejection of the plan, arguing that selling commercial stakes in the World Cup business would cross a line on governance and transparency and urging national federations to take the matter seriously.
- Key details remain undecided and politically sensitive — including the exact share split, governance safeguards, and disputed reports that Gianni Infantino could later become FFE’s CEO — and the proposal requires formal votes by FIFA’s 211 member associations and the FIFA Council before proceeding.