European football’s governing body, Uefa, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham have condemned Fifa’s plan to bring private investment into its competitions, including the World Cup.
Fifa says it intends to boost “football development funding” to more than $10bn (£7.5bn) and open a new venture to minority, non-controlling third‑party investors.
The Financial Times and the Times first reported the story, with the Times claiming the plan could earn Fifa president Gianni Infantino tens of millions of pounds.
In a detailed statement, Fifa said it would create a subsidiary, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), to consolidate its commercial and event operations and invite minority investment into it.
The proposal requires approval from Fifa’s 211 member associations. If passed, Fifa says Thrive Eternal is expected to lead the investor group for FFE.
Thrive is a US venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son‑in‑law, Jared.
Fifa sources told BBC Sport there has been no discussion of Infantino, or anyone else, becoming chief executive of FFE.
Fifa’s statement added that Infantino and the organisation “has a duty” to oversee the project’s development, without specifying what that oversight would involve.
As part of the proposal, Fifa says each member association could access up to $20m (£15m) in one‑off capital for development.
Infantino argued that every nation should share in football’s wealth, saying parts of the sport have turned popularity into significant commercial value, which benefits the whole game, and that Fifa’s role is to support sustainable, inclusive growth worldwide.
Uefa criticised the proposals, saying they “cross a line.”
Burnham said proceeding with the plan would mean Fifa had “sold out.” Writing on X, he argued football belongs to fans, not investors, and that the World Cup is not a product to be sold, adding that once a piece is sold, “you have sold out.”
The Football Association said it was unaware of Fifa’s plans when they were released.