The United States and Canada have joined a growing international opposition to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup's commercial operations to private equity investors. Concacaf, the governing body for soccer in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, expressed significant concerns regarding the lack of transparency and consultation in the plan.
In a statement, Concacaf noted that it was made aware of the proposal through media reports and expressed disappointment with the process. The organization emphasized its commitment to good governance and acting in the best interests of the sport, stating that decisions should be guided by robust processes and long-term stewardship.
This opposition follows a similar stance from European nations. UEFA and its 55 member associations declared they would not participate in FIFA competitions if the proposals remained active. UEFA criticized the plan as a "bleak scheme" and asserted that the FIFA World Cup "belongs to football" and should not be for sale.
Infantino's plan involves spinning off FIFA's commercial operations into a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), with a 20% stake offered to private investors. The proposal, reportedly involving a New York investment firm linked to Jared Kushner, offers to double the basic funding for FIFA's 211 member nations from $10 million to $20 million over four years, with projected funding reaching $86 million each through 2038.
UEFA described the proposal as a "profound failure of leadership" and an "abdication of FIFA's duty as the custodian of world football." The backlash could potentially threaten Infantino's presidency, with a vote scheduled for March in Rabat, Morocco. He had previously appeared on track for an unopposed re-election.
FIFA has presented the private equity offer as a means to "turbocharge" funding for soccer development worldwide, particularly in regions where many member associations rely on FIFA's financial support. However, concerns have been raised that expanding FIFA competitions, potentially including more frequent World Cups and Club World Cups staged in locations like the U.S., could diminish the value and space for existing continental and domestic competitions.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also voiced unease, with AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa warning that FIFA's unilateral actions could undermine continental football. He noted that such an initiative would not succeed without the support of all confederations, which is currently lacking.
Infantino, in a video message, described the offer as "an offer, not an obligation." A FIFA presentation, co-written with J.P. Morgan, outlined goals for FFE to enhance commercial rigor and expertise in capitalizing on broadcast rights, sponsorships, and tournament portfolios. A previous boycott threat from Europe was instrumental in derailing Infantino's 2021 proposal for biennial World Cups.