国际足联主席詹尼·因凡蒂诺提出的一项世界杯融资方案在全球足坛激起强烈反弹。他计划创建FIFA Forward Enterprise子公司，向私人投资者融资42亿美元，占股约20%，基于200亿美元的估值[1]。锚定投资者为美国商人约书亚·库什纳旗下的Thrive Eternal公司[1]。这一提议触发了欧足联、亚足联和北美足联等主要足球组织的强烈反对。
欧足联已宣布抵制所有国际足联赛事，直到因凡蒂诺放弃该计划[1]。因凡蒂诺的高级顾问、前高盛银行家卡洛斯·科尔德罗因反对而辞职，并指责这项计划是"坏交易"[1]。这场反对风波可能会影响因凡蒂诺计划在3月摩洛哥举行的投票中争取连任，他需要获得106票才能确保在这场竞争激烈的选举中获胜[1]。主席候选人的报名截止日期为11月18日[1]。
FIFA首席运营官凯文·拉莫尔发表尖锐声明为因凡蒂诺辩护[1]。根据该方案，211个国际足联会员联合会被提议各获得2000万美元，截止日期为9月19日[1]。
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed a sweeping privatization scheme for the World Cup that has ignited fierce opposition from football's governing bodies worldwide. The plan involves establishing a FIFA Forward Enterprise subsidiary to raise $4.2 billion from private investors, with the investors acquiring approximately 20 percent equity based on a $20 billion valuation of the entity [1]. Thrive Eternal, a company affiliated with Joshua Kushner, has been identified as an anchor investor [1].
The proposal has triggered unprecedented resistance across the global football community. UEFA vowed on Thursday to boycott all FIFA competitions unless Infantino abandons the initiative [1]. The confederation's stance reflects broader opposition from the Asian Football Confederation, North American football bodies, European national associations, and the British Prime Minister [1]. Within FIFA's own leadership, the plan has created significant fracture, with Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino's senior adviser and former Goldman Sachs banker, resigning and denouncing the scheme as a bad deal [1]. In response, FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour issued a sharp statement defending his colleague [1].
The controversy carries potential political consequences for Infantino's position. The next FIFA presidential election will be decided in March in Morocco, with nominations closing on November 18 [1]. Infantino requires 106 votes to secure a majority in what is shaping up to be a competitive contest [1]. FIFA's 211 member associations have been offered $20 million each as an incentive, with a deadline of September 19 [1].