Overview
- FIFA announced the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal on Tuesday, July 28, to bundle World Cup commercial rights into a $20 billion company and seek up to $4.2 billion from minority private investors.
- J.P. Morgan is advising the process and Thrive/Thrive Eternal, linked to Joshua Kushner, is reported to be the lead investor interest, creating public ties to the Trump family through Jared Kushner.
- UEFA immediately condemned the idea, called emergency consultations and warned member federations that selling stakes in FIFA competitions would threaten the sport’s governance and could prompt coordinated resistance.
- U.S. lawmakers have opened oversight inquiries into FIFA and President Infantino’s ties to President Trump with requests for documents and a possible congressional appearance.
- Infantino says FIFA would keep majority control and that member associations would each be eligible for a one-off capital payment if they approve the plan, a deadline-driven offer that shapes the pending vote and the broader fight over football’s commercial future.