Overview
- FIFA disclosed Tuesday that it will create the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposed $20 billion commercial vehicle that would sell minority, non‑controlling stakes in World Cup and related commercial rights to raise up to $4.2 billion.
- FIFA says it would retain majority control and exclusive authority over competitions, the match calendar, and sporting decisions while outside investors would have no operational role.
- Reports name J.P. Morgan as an adviser and identify Thrive Eternal and investor Joshua Kushner as prospective backers, a link that has intensified U.S. House Judiciary Committee scrutiny of President Trump’s reported interventions and prompted a summons for Gianni Infantino.
- UEFA issued a formal condemnation saying “it is not FIFA’s to sell,” and FIFA stresses any transaction must be approved by its 211 member associations, which could each be offered up to $20 million in one‑off capital under the proposal.
- The plan revives earlier private‑investment efforts by Infantino, comes as ongoing ethics and disciplinary probes continue, and could reshape football’s governance and commercial model if member associations and regulators approve the deal.