All articles tagged with #fifa forward enterprise
Belgium’s RBFA says it will not support Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth FIFA presidency, citing a lack of transparency over the Balogun red-card reversal at the 2026 World Cup and Infantino’s controversial plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors via FIFA Forward Enterprise, as Infantino confirms his candidacy for 2027.
UEFA says it plans to file criminal claims in Switzerland against Gianni Infantino related to the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan and has sought U.S. discovery under a Section 1782 order to obtain and preserve documents from FIFA and related parties, arguing the $4.2 billion sale of a 20% stake implied an implausibly low enterprise value of about $20 billion and noting that the process was not run through an open auction or independently valued; UEFA has identified 14 FIFA executives to preserve material while FIFA was contacted for comment.
Lamour, FIFA’s COO since 2024, left the organization after publicly criticizing Gianni Infantino over the aborted FIFA Forward Enterprise plan to privatize World Cup rights, saying staff felt deceived; his departure follows related resignations as FIFA heads toward March elections.
UEFA warned it could pursue legal action, arbitration, or regulatory complaints over FIFA's plan to spin off a $20bn commercial entity and sell a 20% stake to private investors; Infantino later backed down, saying the proposal will not proceed, amid broad backlash from federations, politicians and fans, with UEFA demanding preservation of documents related to the venture.
Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, resigns in protest of FIFA's plan to monetize the World Cup via a private-investment scheme called the FIFA Forward Enterprise, potentially selling up to 20% of the venture. The plan aims to raise about $4.2 billion, drawing scrutiny over leveraging private capital when FIFA rests on reserves; Infantino says consultations will continue as member associations prepare to vote, amid mounting opposition ahead of a September deadline.
FIFA plans to raise about $4.2bn this year by selling roughly 20% of a new $20bn commercial vehicle, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to long-term external investors, with Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Eternal reportedly leading the group and JPMorgan advising; proceeds would be paid to the 211 member associations as a one-off $20m payment each, followed by up to $5m per year from 2027–2030 to fund expanded commercial operations and future World Cup activities, though the plan requires majority-member approval and has drawn UEFA criticism over governance and transparency.