Infantino Promises Up to $40 Million to Member Associations Supporting FIFA Commercial Plan

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has written to all 211 member associations, offering up to $40 million to those that back his proposal to sell minority stakes in the organization’s primary competitions.

According to details from a five-page letter sent to national federations, member associations that vote in favor of the initiative by September 19 will be eligible for an initial $20 million payout starting January 1, 2027, followed by an additional $20 million.

The proposed strategy centers on establishing a commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to manage the business operations and event delivery of major tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups as well as the Club World Cup. Private investors would be allowed to purchase minority, non-controlling stakes in the newly formed entity. Infantino projects that the initiative could generate up to $10 billion in funding to drive global football development.

FIFA clarified that the funding pool for member associations would be raised by liquidating a minority portion of its holdings in the subsidiary.

However, the proposal has encountered resistance from major governing bodies and national federations, who have raised concerns over transparency, decision-making processes, and potential investor influence over the sport’s key competitions.

In response to the unveiling, the Football Association noted that it had not been consulted beforehand and called for full disclosure regarding the exact terms, governance structure, and conditions attached to the plan before taking a formal stance.

The push follows pushback from regional confederations in Europe, Asia, and North America. In light of the developments, UEFA member associations are scheduled to gather for an emergency meeting to address the commercial proposal.