国际足联计划创建商业子公司运营包括世界杯在内的主要赛事，向私人投资者出售股份，引发欧洲足联及其成员国的强烈反对。[1][2]根据该方案，外部投资者将持有这一附属公司20%的股份。[2]美国投资家约书亚·库什纳旗下的Thrive Capital被确定为锚定投资者，J.P.摩根银行主导融资流程。[2]
FIFA主席因方蒂诺设定9月19日为截止日期，要求211个FIFA会员联合会就此方案进行表决。[2]批准该方案的会员将获得2000万美元的一次性资金，而拒绝的会员则获得1000万美元。[2]
欧洲足联及多个国家足协对该提案持反对态度。英足总表示"完全未被知会此提案，且没有获得实质性的细节信息"。[1]英国首相安迪·伯纳姆声称"足球不属于投资者"，欧足联则表示"世界杯不是FIFA可以出售的"。[2]欧足联对私人投资者过度干预可能导致世界杯和俱乐部世界杯扩大规模表示担忧。[1]
欧洲足联已决定本周召开虚拟会议讨论应对方案，可能考虑抵制。[1]至少八名FIFA副主席中的两名此前未被事先咨询。[1]
FIFA has proposed establishing a commercial subsidiary to sell stakes in its major tournaments, including the World Cup, to external investors, sparking fierce opposition from European football authorities.[1][2] The plan would create a FIFA-affiliated company in which private investors would hold a 20 percent stake, with the scheme supported by Thrive Capital, the investment firm associated with American investor Joshua Kushner.[2] FIFA President Gianni Infantino has set a September 19 deadline for the organization's 211 member associations to vote on the proposal.[2]
The initiative has drawn sharp criticism from multiple quarters. The English Football Association stated it was "completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details,"[1] expressing concern that private investor involvement could lead to the expansion of the World Cup and Club World Cup.[1] UEFA has determined to convene an emergency meeting to discuss a response strategy, with a potential World Cup boycott under consideration.[1] UEFA has declared that "the World Cup is not something FIFA can sell,"[2] while UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham asserted that "football does not belong to investors."[2]
FIFA has offered financial incentives to secure member support: member associations that approve the scheme would receive up to 20 million dollars in one-time capital,[1][2] while those rejecting it would receive 10 million dollars of previously promised funds.[2] Additionally, FIFA has committed to expanding its global development fund to 10 billion dollars.[1] J.P. Morgan is leading the financing process for the initiative.[2] The proposal has drawn particular scrutiny given that six of the eight semifinalists at the 2024 World Cup were European teams, including champion Spain.[1]