FIFA has unveiled plans to establish a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage the commercial and event operations of the World Cup and other major tournaments.
The organization intends to value the entity at approximately $20 billion and offer minority stakes to private investors, marking a significant shift in how the world’s most valuable sporting property is financed and governed.
The proposal has drawn immediate and sharp criticism from UEFA, the European football confederation.
UEFA has rejected the plan, viewing the move as an overreach that could undermine the existing power balance within global soccer governance.
The tension highlights the growing friction between FIFA’s ambition to monetize its assets through private capital and the resistance from regional bodies that fear a loss of influence.
This development represents a strategic pivot for world soccer, moving away from a purely membership-funded model toward one that leverages institutional investment.