The Independent

·29 July 2026

The Independent

·29 July 2026

Gianni Infantino has told the heads of Fifa’s 211 member associations that they could miss out on a $30m payment if they do not support his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, and has given them only 53 days to decide.

On Tuesday, Fifa announced plans to set up a new subsidiary to oversee the commercial rights and delivery of the World Cup and other major tournaments, with Infantino confirming that the new company - ‘Fifa Forward Enterprises (FFE)’ - would be open to outside capital investment.

Infantino’s proposals have been strongly criticised by Uefa, which accused Fifa of trying to sell the game’s “soul”, while The Independent understands that the threat of a boycott is being discussed by senior European figures. However, the proposals need only a majority vote of more than 50 per cent from the 211 Fifa members, along with approval from the Fifa Council.

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Infantino is planning to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors (PA)

In a letter to the member associations, seen by The Independent, Infantino has promised that national federations would benefit from an increase in its ‘Fifa Forward’ funding from around $8m to $20m for the next four-year cycle between 2027 and 2031 if the new FFE subsidiary is created.

In addition, the letter says that a “one-off” payment of another $20m would be available for member associations that vote for Infantino’s proposals on 19 September. The letter then warns that if the vote does not pass, member associations would only receive $10m for the 2027-2031 cycle, meaning they would lose out on $30m.

Member associations were also told, through Fifa’s press release, that they could expect further increases in future cycles, rising to $24m by 2035 to 2038. Thrive Eternal, led by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US president Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, are set to lead the new investment, which Fifa said could raise $4.2bn.

The president of the Czech Football Association, David Trunda, told Sky News on Wednesday that he could see the “positive impact” of Infantino’s plan as well as the “pragmatic benefits for Czech football”.

Many of the world’s smaller countries, especially those outside Europe, depend more heavily on Fifa funding to run their national teams, develop long-term grassroots projects and invest in infrastructure such as pitches, academies and stadiums. Before this year’s World Cup, Infantino said that “without Fifa, there would be no football in 150 countries in the world”.

Infantino used that claim to defend Fifa’s ticket prices for this World Cup, saying that higher tournament revenues would lead to more investment in football around the world. Infantino is seeking re-election as Fifa president ahead of the 2027-2031 cycle and has said that Fifa will explore the possibility of increasing the World Cup to 64 teams.

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Infantino is working with figures close to US president Donald Trump (PA Wire)

Uefa is set to hold an emergency meeting with its 55 member associations this week and the FA said it had “deep concern” after being caught off guard by Fifa’s proposals. Concacaf, football’s governing body for North America, has also criticised the plans, but Infantino has many allies across the African, South American and Asian federations.

An FA spokeswoman said: “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.

“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.

“When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by Fifa, we will make our views clear, and comment further.”