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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), valued at $20 billion.
Gianni Infantino-led FIFA aims to raise $4.2 billion. (AP Photo)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hit the headlines, again.
This time, he has revealed quite an ambitious but controversial financial proposal which involves FIFA creating a new commercial subsidiary valued at around $20 billion. It proposes to bring in outside investors for the first time and use the proceeds to significantly increase funding for football associations across the world.
The backers of this proposal claim it will unlock unprecedented investment in football development, but the critics argue it risks commercialising the sport’s governing body without adequate consultation or transparency.
So What Exactly Is FIFA Proposing?
So the governing body will form FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) – a fresh commercial subsidiary that would house its revenue-generating businesses. As per reports, the new entity would manage FIFA’s key commercial assets, including:
- Broadcasting rights
- Sponsorship agreements
- Ticket sales
- Licensing and merchandising
- Commercial operations linked to FIFA tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups
FIFA has reportedly valued the subsidiary at approximately $20 billion – based on an assessment by JPMorgan, which is also advising the organisation on the transaction.
As per the proposal, FIFA would retain majority ownership while selling up to a 20% minority stake to external investors.
The decision is expected to raise several billion dollars without relinquishing control of FIFA’s competitions or governance.
But Why Is FIFA Doing This?
Infantino says separating FIFA’s commercial operations into a dedicated company would allow the organisation to unlock the value of its growing portfolio of tournaments while generating significantly more money for football development.
He shot a letter sent to FIFA’s 211 member associations. In it, Infantino says that the proposal is the next phase of FIFA’s expansion strategy and it will create a substantially larger funding programme beginning in 2027.
According to the letter, the governance of FIFA itself would remain unchanged with the body retaining perpetual majority ownership of FFE and exclusive authority over sporting matters, competition rules and decision-making.
How Does It Impact The Member Associations?
The proposal promises a dramatic increase in funding for FIFA’s member associations. If approved, each of FIFA’s 211 national associations could receive up to:
- $20 million in one-off “Fast-Forward” funding
- $20 million through the FIFA Forward development programme during the 2027-2030 cycle
That would take total funding to as much as $40 million per association over the next four-year cycle.
FIFA also projects further increases in later cycles:
- Up to $22 million in Forward funding during 2031-2034
- Up to $24 million during 2035-2038
And there’s a deadline.
To receive the one-off Fast-Forward payment, the associations will have to agree to participate and submit their decision before September 19, 2026.
What Happens If Proposal Is Rejected?
Well, Infantino has warned member associations that rejecting the plan would mean missing out on the larger funding package. Instead, associations would receive the previously planned increase under the existing FIFA Forward programme, worth around $10 million per association during the next cycle as part of a $2.7 billion global funding package.
By contrast, approval of the new structure would unlock a proposed $10 billion programme beginning on January 1, 2027.
As per the letter, quoted by The Times, Infantino wrote, “Should you wish to proceed, this USD 10bn package will become available as of 1 January 2027, ushering in the next phase of our journey together.”
The proposal though will have to clear FIFA’s formal governance process before it can take effect.
It requires support from a majority of FIFA’s 211 member associations and approval from the FIFA Council.
If both conditions are met, FIFA would proceed with establishing FIFA Forward Enterprise and begin raising capital from external investors.
There’s Financial Windfall. So Why The Criticism?
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from several football governing bodies, many of which said they first learned about it through media reports rather than internal consultation.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, is among the strongest critics.
In an initial statement, UEFA said the proposal: “Crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade… None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
After learning that member associations had been given a deadline to approve the proposal or lose access to the one-off payment, UEFA issued a second statement saying, “This says everything you need to know about this plan.”
CONCACAF, the North and Central American confederation, said it’s disappointed that such significant details had become public before discussions with football’s governing bodies and stakeholders.
England’s Football Association also said it was “completely unaware” of the proposal and had not received sufficient information about its structure or any conditions attached.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who led the organisation before Infantino, also criticised the proposal.
“Football belongs to no individual and to no institution. It belongs to the people,” Blatter was quoted as saying by the Reuters.
About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
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