UEFA has firmly rejected FIFA’s proposal to sell minority stakes in a new commercial subsidiary valued at $20 billion, cautioning that the move would undermine the integrity and governance of the sport.
The world football governing body had announced plans to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a subsidiary designed to oversee its commercial and event operations, while retaining control over football governance, competitions, the match calendar, and sporting regulations.
Under the proposal—scheduled for presentation to FIFA’s 211 member associations—external investors would be permitted to acquire minority, non-controlling stakes in FFE. FIFA aims to raise up to $4.2 billion from the sale to expand development programmes and increase funding for member associations worldwide.
A FIFA spokesperson indicated that funding per member association would rise from $8 million to $20 million during the 2027-2030 cycle, with further increases targeted for subsequent cycles. A new optional programme would also enable associations to access additional development funding and receive up to $20 million in one-off capital.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the initiative, stating: “Football is the world’s most popular sport and an extraordinary engine of human and social development. Parts of the game have turned that popularity into remarkable commercial value, and we celebrate that success because it lifts the whole game.”
He added that FIFA’s responsibility was to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth across all regions.
However, UEFA has urged football stakeholders to reject the proposal outright, arguing that the governance and identity of the sport should not be commercialised.
In a strongly worded statement, UEFA declared: “The proposal crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association, leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.”
The European body further questioned the transparency surrounding potential investors, asserting: “The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade—especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
The latest disagreement exacerbates existing tensions between the two governing bodies over disciplinary processes, refereeing arrangements, and match operations. The rift has widened in recent years, with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin notably absent from the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.