FIFA Wants to Sell World Cup Stakes, UEFA Rages: 'Extremely Serious'

FIFA is reportedly planning to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, a move that has sparked outrage from UEFA, Europe's governing body for football. UEFA has labeled the plan "extremely serious" and stated that it crosses a line that football's governing bodies should never breach.

“

This means that a boundary is crossed – a boundary that football's governing bodies should never step over. UEFA views the matter with extreme seriousness.

According to reports, FIFA intends to establish a new subsidiary to manage all commercial rights for its premier men's and women's tournaments, including the World Cup and the Club World Cup. Investment bank JP Morgan has been appointed to secure external investors for approximately a 20 percent ownership stake in this new entity. Sources indicate that a company linked to Joshua Kushner, brother-in-law to former U.S. President Donald Trump, is expected to lead this process.

FIFA stated that the launch of this new structure is contingent on the support of a majority of its 211 member associations and relevant FIFA Council approvals. The proposed structure would see an additional 20 percent owned by FIFA's member associations, with FIFA retaining the majority share. This arrangement could potentially generate significant revenue for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, estimated to be around 620 million Swedish kronor (approximately $59 million USD).

“

The soul and governance of football are not assets that can be sold or traded – especially when there is a complete lack of transparency about who benefits financially. None of us own football. It is not FIFA's to sell.

UEFA vehemently opposes FIFA's plan, asserting that "the soul and governance of football are not assets that can be sold or traded." The European body emphasized that no single entity owns football and that it is not FIFA's to sell. Similar business models have previously been adopted by football leagues in Spain and France. The Swedish Football Association has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.

“

Parts of the sport have transformed that popularity into remarkable commercial value – and we celebrate that success and want it to continue, because it elevates the entire sport.