国际足联(FIFA)主席詹尼·因蒂诺宣布计划创建一家名为FIFA Forward Enterprise(FFE)的商业子公司，并向私人投资者出售股权进行融资。[2][3]根据该计划，FFE的初始估值为20亿美元，[2][3]FIFA计划今年募集最多4.2亿美元。[2][3]意向投资者包括约书亚·库什纳旗下的Thrive Eternal基金，[2]以及J.P. Morgan投资银行和Greg Maffei等商业顾问参与其中。[3]该计划需获得FIFA的211个成员协会批准才能推进，[2]每个成员协会可从中获得最多2000万美元的资本。[2]因蒂诺表示："这是关于全球足球民主化。"[2]
欧洲足球协会(UEFA)对这一提议作出强烈抨击。[1][2][3][4]UEFA在声明中表示，这跨越了足球管理机构不应越过的界线，[1][3]并强调"世界杯不是FIFA的资产"。[1][2]UEFA表示正考虑采取法律措施，欧洲国家的世界杯抵制也在讨论范围内。[4]
FIFA has unveiled a plan to create a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to attract private investment in its competitions, including the World Cup, drawing sharp condemnation from European football authorities.[2][3] The proposed entity carries an initial valuation of $20 billion, with plans to raise up to $4.2 billion through the sale of minority stakes to investors.[2][3] Among the prospective backers is the Thrive Eternal fund controlled by Joshua Kushner, with J.P. Morgan serving as a financial adviser.[2][3]
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has framed the initiative as part of efforts to expand the football development fund beyond $10 billion and democratize the sport globally.[1][2] The scheme requires approval from FIFA's 211 member associations, each of which could receive between $20 million and $24 million in one-time capital payouts.[2][4] The revenues generated are intended to be reinvested in worldwide football development.[3]
UEFA has responded with unequivocal rejection, asserting that the World Cup is not FIFA's property to sell.[1][2][3] "This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross," the European body stated.[1][2][3] UEFA has indicated it is considering legal action, with a European World Cup boycott cited as a potential option for discussion.[4] The organization emphasized that "the soul and governance of football are not tradeable assets, particularly in a situation with zero transparency," and stressed that "no one owns football."[4]