world · 2026-07-30
UEFA Set to Fight FIFA's World Cup Sell-Off
Photo: Rjcastillo / Wikimedia (CC BY 4.0)
FIFA wants a new unit, FFE, to sell all its commercial rights and let private investors buy minority stakes.UEFA calls it FIFA "enriching itself and its friends," and says opposition is growing across the sport.211 member associations must decide by Sep 19 or lose a $20Mn payout FIFA is offering upfront.
Who is Joshua Kushner, FIFA's proposed investor?
Joshua Kushner is a venture capitalist whose firm Thrive Eternal proposed leading investment in FFE. He is the brother of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law.
What stake would Kushner's firm actually hold?
FIFA said it would retain sole control of FFE while inviting third parties like Thrive Eternal to make minority, non-controlling investments only.
Did Kushner fund other sports deals before?
The source does not detail Kushner's other holdings.
Why did SoftBank's 2018 FIFA deal collapse?
Infantino's 2018 SoftBank plan to fund the Club World Cup fell apart after widespread backlash from within football, a pattern now repeating with FFE.
Could UEFA actually stop this like in 2021?
In 2021, UEFA's boycott threat killed Infantino's biennial World Cup plan. UEFA has 3 nations in this year's semifinals, giving it similar leverage now.
What exactly forced FIFA to scrap 2021's plan?
UEFA's threat to boycott the expanded, every-two-years World Cup in 2021 forced Infantino to drop that proposal entirely, showing its veto-like power.
Which confederations besides UEFA are objecting?
CONCACAF has raised "deep concern over the lack of due process," and England's FA and FIFPRO, the players' union, have also opposed FFE.
How does a boycott actually damage a World Cup?
UEFA sides, including reigning finalists, sitting out would strip the tournament of its top talent and credibility, undermining its global standing.
How would this hit small football federations?
FIFA is offering all 211 member associations $20Mn upfront, then $20Mn, $22Mn, and $24Mn through 2038, a lifeline for smaller federations with few other revenue sources.
Why give every association the same flat payout?
FIFA framed the flat $20Mn tranches as "democratisation," giving every member, regardless of size or location, an equal say and payout structure.
What can countries do before the Sep 19 deadline?
Associations can back FFE to keep the payout on offer, or join UEFA and others in opposing it before FIFA's Sep 19 deadline passes.
Who decides how each country spends the payout?
The source does not specify oversight rules for how individual associations would use FFE payouts.
Source: thehindu.com