FIFA Considers World Cup Stake Sale Amidst UEFA Opposition

FIFA intends to retain majority control of the men's World Cup under a new structure. However, commercial rights—including broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing, and licensing—would transfer to private ownership.

Joshua Kushner, through his Thrive Eternal fund, emerges as a lead investor in this proposed venture. Bankers at JPMorgan are actively assisting in the complex financial process.

The implied valuation of this new company stands at $20 billion; another assessment suggests a valuation closer to £15 billion, revealing the immense financial stakes.

UEFA issued stark warnings regarding FIFA's intentions, declaring a 'Rubicon being crossed' and stating, 'This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.'

The European body further asserted, 'UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every national football association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.'

The Football Association (FA), chaired by FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt, remained unaware of the proposal. The FA's board meeting did not include any mention of the plan.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino seeks to sell shares in this $20 billion World Cup spin-off venture. This move could generate millions for Infantino, who faces re-election unopposed in 2025 and must step down in 2031 after three full terms.

This represents no isolated attempt by Infantino to secure private investment. He previously pursued a similar deal in 2018 with SoftBank, which collapsed due to UEFA's staunch opposition.

UEFA maintains that 'the soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially,' a statement outlining their core objection to the proposed privatization.

Andy Burnham, a prominent critic, stated, 'Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.'

Burnham further asserted, 'The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell.'

For the 2022-2026 cycle, FIFA projects revenues around $15 billion (£11.3 billion), a substantial figure that reveals the existing financial power of the organization.

The Donald Trump administration was consulted on the FIFA proposal, adding a significant political dimension to the financial discussions and revealing the high-level engagement surrounding the plan.

UEFA members are now set to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the serious possibility of boycotting the World Cup.

This potential boycott could materialize as early as 2025, the same year the Women's World Cup is scheduled to take place in Brazil, adding another layer of complexity.

UEFA concluded its strong objection with an unequivocal statement: 'None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell,' a declaration that firmly rejects FIFA's perceived ownership claims.