FIFA has announced plans to create a partially private subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The organization will retain a controlling stake but expects to raise about **$4.2 billion (€3.69 billion)** by the end of the year through the sale of minority stakes to long-term investors. ## What is Known About the New Company According to FIFA, the new structure will engage in commercial activities related to the World Cup and other tournaments under the organization's auspices. At the same time, FIFA emphasizes that it will maintain full control over all sporting matters, including the organization of competitions, the formation of the calendar, the development of regulations, and the management of world football. The organization estimates the initial value of the new company at approximately **$20 billion**. ## Media: Infantino May Benefit Earlier, British newspapers The Times and Financial Times reported on the impending deal, citing sources. According to The Times, FIFA President Gianni Infantino may take on the role of commissioner of the new company after the end of his expected next term in 2031. FIFA has categorically rejected these speculations, stating that such a matter has never been discussed. The publication also reports that negotiations are already underway with financial consultants and potential investors. Among the possible participants in the deal are the investment firm Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner — the brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump — as well as a division of JP Morgan Chase, which previously attempted to finance the European Super League project. ## UEFA: "Football Cannot Be Sold" FIFA's plans have provoked a sharp reaction from UEFA. "This crosses a line that football governing bodies should never cross. The soul of football and its governance system are not assets to be traded, especially in the absence of transparency regarding who will benefit financially," the organization stated. UEFA emphasized that no one owns football, and therefore FIFA has no right to sell its commercial future. ## Criticism Also Came from Former FIFA President The former head of the organization also harshly criticized the initiative, pointing out the close ties of FIFA's current leadership with American political and financial circles. According to him, such relationships have already taken on a financial dimension and could cause serious harm to world football. ## UK Prime Minister: "Football Belongs to the Fans" UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also opposed the deal. "Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and stand on the sidelines every week — in rain and shine. The World Cup is not a commodity. It is the largest football tournament on the planet, and no one has the right to sell it," he stated. According to Burnham, selling even a small part of the commercial rights means that football begins to be subordinated to the interests of investors. ## Federations Will Be Offered to Become Shareholders FIFA intends to offer all 211 national football associations a one-time stake worth $20 million. Although each such investment will amount to only about **0.1%** of the company's total value, this sum will be quite significant for many small and less wealthy football federations. The organization believes that due to the attracted investments, the total funding for football development programs over the next four years could exceed **$10 billion**. ## Concerns That the World Cup Will Expand Even Further According to The Times, the creation of a new commercial structure may increase pressure on organizers to further expand the World Cup and the Club World Cup or even hold these tournaments more frequently than once every four years. Critics fear that the commercial interests of investors may begin to influence sporting decisions. ## FIFA Has Faced Similar Problems Before This is not FIFA's first attempt to attract private capital to its commercial projects. In 2019, the organization rejected an investment proposal for $25 billion, which involved financing an expanded Club World Cup with the participation of the Japanese corporation SoftBank and the Saudi Sovereign Fund. Additionally, FIFA has already experienced a high-profile corruption scandal related to the company International Sport and Leisure (ISL). After ISL's bankruptcy in 2001, it became clear that the company had been paying multi-million dollar bribes to high-ranking sports officials for years to obtain commercial rights to major tournaments. According to investigations, from 1989 to 2001, the amount of illegal payments totaled approximately 138 million Swiss francs (about 150 million euros). FIFA's plans to create a new commercial company and sell part of its shares could become one of the most significant reforms in the history of world football. The organization's leadership assures that control over the sport will remain with FIFA; however, critics fear that the interests of private investors will inevitably begin to influence the development of the world's major football tournaments. The project now awaits approval from the FIFA Council and the majority of national football associations.