FIFA plans World Cup rights sale, drawing UEFA's ire

FIFA intends to sell a 20% stake in a newly established company, FFE, which will oversee the commercial rights for upcoming World Cups. This move is projected to generate over 3.5 billion euros for the international football federation. The new entity, FFE, is valued at approximately 17.56 billion euros and will consolidate commercial rights for all FIFA-sanctioned competitions, including men's, women's, and club World Cups. FIFA will maintain majority ownership and control over the competition calendar and football laws.

This strategic financial maneuver could potentially increase pressure to expand the number of participating teams in the World Cup or even to host the tournament more frequently. All 211 FIFA member nations will also receive smaller stakes in FFE, which they can either hold onto or sell. FIFA plans to reinvest an estimated 8.8 billion euros into football development globally over the next four years using these additional revenues.

Reports suggest that individuals connected to former U.S. President Donald Trump's circle were involved in preparing these plans. Specifically, technology investor Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, is reportedly leading a consortium of investors through his fund Thrive Eternal. This development has drawn sharp criticism from UEFA, led by Aleksander Čeferin. UEFA has vehemently opposed the plan, stating that "the soul and governance of football are not a commodity to be traded." The European football body has urged all responsible football institutions, national associations, leagues, clubs, players, fans, and governments to take the matter seriously, emphasizing that "no one owns football, FIFA has no right to sell it."

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The soul and governance of football are not a commodity to be traded, especially with a complete lack of transparency regarding who will benefit financially from it. None of us own football, FIFA has no right to sell it.