FIFA is considering the sale of a minority stake in a new commercial entity valued at around $20 billion, a move aimed at raising billions of dollars from outside investors while retaining control of world football’s biggest competitions.
According to Reuters, the governing body is working with investment bank JPMorgan to establish the new venture, with external investors expected to acquire up to a 20% stake. Former Liberty Media chief executive Greg Maffei has reportedly been advising on the project.
The proposed entity would oversee FIFA’s commercial operations, including the FIFA World Cup, while FIFA maintains full governance and operational control. The organisation hopes to raise as much as $4.2 billion through the sale, with proceeds earmarked for football development across its 211 member associations.
However, the proposal has triggered a sharp backlash from UEFA, which accused FIFA of crossing a line by attempting to commercialise the governance of the global game.
UEFA said football’s “soul and governance” should never become assets for trade and criticised what it described as a lack of transparency over who would ultimately benefit financially from the arrangement.
FIFA has defended the initiative, insisting that outside investors would have no influence over football governance and that the governing body would retain exclusive decision-making authority. It argues the new structure would generate greater financial support for member associations and help expand the sport worldwide.
The proposal is expected to be presented to FIFA’s member associations for approval, with discussions likely to shape the future commercial direction of world football.
