FIFA President Gianni Infantino plans to sell a 20% stake in World Cup commercial rights to private investors for $4.2 billion through a new subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise. A key adviser has resigned and UEFA, backed by several member federations, is firmly opposing the project that would introduce private capital interests into global football governance. Each federation would receive an upfront payment of $20 million, followed by annual payouts of $20 to $24 million through 2038, with Thrive Eternal, led by Joshua Kushner, as the lead investor. This initiative would mark a fundamental shift from the traditional collective management of World Cup commercial rights by FIFA’s 211 member associations. The decisive votes among member associations have not yet occurred, but the combination of internal resignations, organized UEFA opposition, and growing concerns about private capital interference suggests this fight is different from previous challenges.
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