Global football in crisis over FIFA's private investment plan

In late July 2026, a major institutional crisis erupted in global football following FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell a 20-30% stake in the World Cup and other tournaments to private equity firms. The initiative, dubbed the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), aimed to raise up to $10 billion, with American investor Joshua Kushner’s firm, Thrive Eternal, reportedly showing interest. Infantino set a deadline of September 19 for approval, offering increased funding through the FIFA Fast Forward program, which critics viewed as financial coercion.

The response from major football confederations was swift and overwhelmingly negative. All 55 UEFA member nations and the 41 members of CONCACAF voted unanimously to reject the plan, citing a lack of consultation and concerns over the integrity of the sport. UEFA went as far as to threaten a total boycott of all FIFA competitions if the plan is not withdrawn. As of July 31, 2026, reports indicate that at least 143 out of 211 national federations have opposed the proposal.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also publicly criticized the lack of transparency, with President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa calling the unilateral action unacceptable. While Infantino maintains that the FFE is a democratic opportunity for growth, the scale of the backlash, often compared to the failed 2021 European Super League project, has severely undermined his leadership as global opposition continues to mount.