FIFA has mandated that its member associations must commit to a proposal to sell shares in high-profile tournaments, including the World Cup, by September 19 to qualify for a $40 million payout per organization. This initiative involves creating a commercial entity to manage these events, a move that has triggered significant opposition.
European football authorities at UEFA stated that the World Cup should not be treated as a tradable commodity, while the Asian Football Confederation reported that they were never involved in the consultation process. EU sports chief Glenn Micallef publicly challenged FIFA, insisting that the governing body should refrain from privatizing the sport.
In a letter obtained by The Times, FIFA president Gianni Infantino outlined that a $10 billion total funding package would be accessible starting January 1, 2027, if members endorse the plan. Infantino clarified that associations are free to reject the offer, noting that an alternative $2.7 billion development fund, known as the Forward programme, remains available if the proposal fails to gain support. Despite the financial incentives, critics of the plan have characterized the offer as bribery.
