FIFA's Commercial Ambitions Spark Global Boycott Threat
UEFA members unanimously reject proposal for new company to oversee World Cup, raising questions about football's future.
Sarah Connor
FIFA's plan to establish a new company to manage its premier men's and women's competitions, including the World Cup, has ignited widespread opposition, culminating in a unanimous boycott vote from UEFA members.
The AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF, expressing serious concerns over FIFA's proposal to introduce private investment into its flagship competitions and the decision-making process around the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). This proposed FFE involves selling stakes in FIFA tournaments to private investors, with Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner, earmarked as the leader of the investor group.
JP Morgan works with FIFA to raise $4.2 billion with a new commercial vehicle, a move that defies logic given FIFA holds billions in reserves and no debt. Against this backdrop, and in light of the clear positions expressed by UEFA and CONCACAF, the AFC believes the proposed FFE cannot realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward.
Internal discord at FIFA's highest echelons erupted with the immediate resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, a Senior Advisor to the FIFA President. Cordeiro issued a blistering condemnation of the proposal, stating he had no involvement in it and opposed it unequivocally.
Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFA's Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.
He clarified, "Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFA's Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game."
With over 35 years in banking, Carlos Cordeiro emphasized his profound understanding of the asset's true value, stating, "Football has been central to my life, and after more than 35 years in banking, I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving part of it away." He concluded, "That is why this proposal should be rejected," as member associations now face a critical deadline to make a decision in approximately 50 days.
Cordeiro stated, "This proposal has become a defining question for FIFA's future. After careful consideration, I can no longer continue in my role as Senior Advisor to the FIFA President," adding, "I have therefore resigned with immediate effect."
A vote on Gianni Infantino's controversial plan is slated for September 19, a move that could trigger a vote of no confidence in the FIFA president. Such a vote demands the support of 20% of member nations, a staggering 43 countries.
Gianni Infantino's base salary stands at approximately £2.39 million (Fr.2.6m), augmented by a variable salary of around £2 million (Fr.2.2m) and £22,1000 (Fr.24,000) in allowances. He became a Lebanese citizen in February and relocated his residency to Zug, Switzerland, in June 2022.
FIFA released a statement denying claims that the governing body attempts to 'sell football,' asserting incorrect media reports have distorted their vision and disrupted their planned consultation process. Prime Minister Andy Burnham declared FIFA boss Gianni Infantino the wrong man to lead the organization, stating, "The idea that it could even be brought forward shows that, in my view, [he] is the wrong man to lead the organisation."
Burnham called the proposal "an outrageous suggestion," with Nigel Farage and Lisa Nandy also publicly condemning Gianni Infantino's plans. Alexander Ceferin, president of UEFA, has emerged as a formidable potential challenger to Infantino's reign.
Dariusz Mioduski, owner of Legia Warsaw, is also being explored as a candidate by some UEFA members, while Victor Montagliani is reportedly preparing to run for the FIFA presidency. Nominations remain open until November 18.
Gianni Infantino previously triumphed over Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa by 115 votes to 88 in the 2016 FIFA presidential election, and has since presided over an expanded World Cup and a new 32-team Club World Cup. The Mexican Federation (FMF) stated it will meticulously study and analyze the proposal before rendering a decision.
More resignations from FIFA are possible, suggesting further, profound instability within the governing body, even as the 2034 World Cup is set to be hosted in Saudi Arabia. UEFA has stated this is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but "an abdication of Fifa’s duty as the custodian of world football."
Kevin Lamour, COO since 2024, stated that member associations "deserve better than contempt and intimidation," noting the proposal is the project of one person and must not go ahead. Reportedly, 135 FIFA members publicly oppose the FIFA Forward Enterprise, exceeding the 106 threshold required to block the plan.
The AFC emphasized that any proposal risking undermining the unity and universal character of the FIFA World Cup must be reconsidered, stating, "The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of global football and derives its strength from the participation of all Confederations and the world’s leading football nations." The fact that a FIFA World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of the game.
Infantino will be able to stand for a fourth term in 2027, despite FIFA statutes limiting presidents to three terms, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing leadership debate.