‘World Cup not FIFA’s to sell’: UEFA slams world body’s private investment plans

2 min readJul 29, 2026 12:53 PM IST FIFA added that each of its 211 member associations (MAs) would be given the chance to take a one-off stake of 20 million dollars in the FFE. (AP Photo)European football’s governing body, UEFA, on Tuesday issued a stern threat to FIFA after reports surfaced that FIFA was seeking priv

FIFA has announced plans to launch a new private company to run the World Cup and other competitions, a move that has been met with widespread criticism from Andy Burnham, UEFA and football fans

The new initiative is the second time Infantino has attempted to privatise football assets, with the first being in 2018 where the FIFA chief proposed a multi-billion dollar project to create more global competitions, funded by private investors.

Football's world governing body announces plans to sell stakes of up to 20 percent in the World Cup and other events.

A major dispute has erupted between FIFA and UEFA over FIFA’s proposal to seek private investment in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments.

The Prime Minister's words come as European nations discuss a boycott and supporters call Gianni Infantino's plans 'a new low'

FIFA on Tuesday announced it was seeking to launch FIFA Forward Enterprise.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the World Cup “was never anyone’s to sell”, after Fifa confirmed plans to set up a private company to run its competitions.Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) would be responsible for bringing together the sale of the football governing body’s commercial rights with the operational delive

"It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine"

He's just presided over a World Cup regarded as the most commercialised in history.

Here's what to know about the controversial proposal that raises questions about the future of the World Cup

European football’s governing body insists the World Cup is not an ‘asset to trade’.

UEFA strongly criticises FIFA's ambitious plan to create a new commercial company. This new entity aims to manage major football tournaments and seek private investment. UEFA declares that football's governing institutions have crossed a dangerous and unacceptable line. The European body questions the transparency and

The 2026 FIFA World Cup was a sensational financial success for FIFA, and it is set to continue cashing in as Gianni Infantino announced a new pending subsidiary to generate further revenue for the governing body.

Uefa has accused Fifa of “selling football’s soul” after the world governing body revealed plans to raise more than $4bn by selling stakes in a new subsidiary that would manage the commercial rights to the World Cup and Club World Cup. The new company, Fifa Forward Enterprise, would consolidate the media rights, sponso

Fifa is working with bankers at JPMorgan to raise billions ⁠of dollars by bringing ​in ⁠external investors to take as much as a 20 per cent stake in the entity

UEFA have hit out at FIFA's plans to sell stakes linked to the World Cup to private investors.

UEFA insists the World Cup is not an “asset to trade” after FIFA confirmed plans to set up a private company to run its competitions ...

European football's governing body Uefa reacts furiously to proposals from Fifa to seek private investment in its competitions, including the World Cup.

FIFA is planning to sell a significant minority stake in a new commercial entity with a valuation of about €17.5 billion ($20 billion).

FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to sell shares in a new World Cup spin-off venture in plans already opening up ruptures in world football, with fury at UEFA.

UEFA blasts FIFA proposal to allow for $10B in World Cup private investment  ESPN