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Zurich, Switzerland – FIFA has announced plans to create a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), valued at around $20 billion that would consolidate the governing body’s commercial and event operations. Under the proposal presented on Tuesday, FIFA would invite external investors to buy minority, non-controlling stakes in FFE and aims to raise up to $4.2 billion. FIFA, which generates billions of dollars largely from World Cup-related broadcasting rights, sponsorships and other commercial deals, says all net benefits from the new structure will be reinvested into football. It says the funds will be used to widen access to the sport, boost development programmes and strengthen global participation, with increases in funding per member association targeted from the 2027-30 cycle onward. Nyon, Switzerland – European governing body UEFA immediately criticised the plan, saying it “crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross” and warning that the governance and “soul” of the game are not assets to trade. UEFA called on national associations, leagues, clubs, players, supporters and governments to scrutinise the proposal, arguing there is no transparency over who stands to gain financially and stating that “none of us are the owners of football.” FIFA said the project, developed with bankers at JPMorgan, will be presented to its 211 member associations and the FIFA Council, and stressed that outside investors would only hold a minority stake in FFE, have no operational role and would invest in the subsidiary rather than in FIFA itself.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.