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By BOBBY MANZI, FOOTBALL REPORTER

Published: 04:51 EDT, 29 July 2026 | Updated: 14:32 EDT, 29 July 2026

FIFA are attempting to pressure their 211 member associations into backing plans to sell stakes in the World Cup - just hours after the FA voiced deep concerns over Gianni Infantino's divisive proposals.

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News broke on Tuesday that FIFA boss Infantino was considering selling parts of the tournament to private investors and forming a new company in a deal that could be worth around £15billion, which the governing body later confirmed in a hastily-issued statement.

In a letter to the associations, Infantino says member nations must decide on the proposal by September 19 and explains the financial benefits of approving the project.

He says that a funding package around £30million per nation will become available if associations sign up, but if they reject it their earnings will be almost 75 per cent less.

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The letter from Infantino says: 'The decision on whether or not to proceed with this proposal belongs entirely to you. Should you wish to proceed this $10billion package will become available as of January 1, 2027, ushering in the next phase of our journey together.

'Should you wish to retain the status quo and reject this proposal we still have our planned expansion of the Forward programme [development money] of $2.7billion as previously presented.

'In total for the upcoming cycle starting as of January 1, 2027 each member association will have the possibility of access up to $40million per member association under this proposal.'

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UEFA have responded to the letter, insinuating that FIFA are attempting to bribe associations into accepting the proposition. 

'Today we have learned of FIFA's deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn,' UEFA said. 'This says everything you need to know about this plan.

'But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, UEFA knows there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA's scheme. FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends. We can grow the game correctly. It's time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.'

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The FA have deep concerns over FIFA's leaked plans to sell stakes in the World Cup

Investment bank J.P. Morgan is FIFA's financial advisor on the project while Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital is expected to lead the proposed investor group. Kushner is the brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared. The Trump administration is understood to have been consulted.

FIFA hope to raise more than £3bn for the venture from a diversified, global investor group which is thought to include sovereign wealth funds.

Should their plans be successful, FIFA intend to give each of their 211 member associations a stake in the company - which they can choose to keep or sell - worth £15m.

The FA, though, are worried about FIFA's leaked plans to sell stakes in the World Cup.

In a statement, an FA spokesperson confirmed they had been left in the dark over the controversial proposals which have sparked outrage amongst the football community.

The statement said: 'We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.

'Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.

'When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further.'

It has been suggested that Infantino could become the commissioner of that company once his role at FIFA ends in 2031, although FIFA claim that has not been discussed. 

European Football Clubs, who represent over 800 European clubs, have voiced their opposition. Crucially, the body is chaired by PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who has been touted as a potential leadership challenger to Infantino. 

'European Football Clubs (EFC) notes with serious concern the sudden, unilateral media briefings and announcement by FIFA about a potential new corporate structure for the commercialisation of certain football competitions,' the statement read.

'As an institution that represents over 850 football clubs – whose member clubs, their players and communities are fundamental participants in football worldwide, not least in FIFA's competitions including all the international club competitions – it would be wholly appropriate for EFC to be fully consulted on a proposal of such magnitude. EFC learned about this proposal in the same way as most global football stakeholders – without warning and through the media.

'EFC always seeks to work collaboratively and supportively with all stakeholders – FIFA, UEFA and all confederations, national associations, leagues, player and fan associations.

'In that vein, we urge for calm and thorough consultation on all topics affecting the football ecosystem, together with more rigorous and transparent governance processes put in place to protect the game for the long term. Only in this way can we build the right institutional frameworks and relationships required to promote the true success, stability and sustainability of football.'

The European Leagues Association, of which the Premier League is a founding member, added: 'The World Cup should not be for sale. It is not the FIFA President's private equity asset. Its value is created day in and day out by leagues, clubs, players and supporters who are being left without a voice or a vote on this matter. European Leagues firmly reject this proposal.' 

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is also among the dissenting voices. 

'Let me say this very directly,' Burnham posted on X. 'Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.

'The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone's to sell.

'Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out. Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.'

One European nation has already publicly supported Infantino's plan, with the President of the Czech FA David Trunda backing him. 

'I can see the pragmatic benefits for Czech football from working in close co-operation with [FIFA president] Gianni Infantino and his team,' Trunda told Sky News.

'Of course we need more details, but my personal point of view is that I can see the positive impact of FIFA's intentions.' 

FIFA want to set up a new company responsible for the 'operational delivery of FIFA tournaments', called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). 

They claim the plans would help advance the FIFA Forward development programme, which distributes capital to member associations. The governing body hopes to increase funding from £6m to £15m for the 2027-30 international cycle.

FIFA would need approval from the FIFA Council and majority support from the FIFA Congress (the 211 member associations) to launch the new enterprise.

Three of the six continental confederations have expressed resistance, including UEFA who released a scathing statement on Tuesday.  

'This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross,' UEFA said. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder who cares about the future of the game.

'The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade - especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell.'

CONCACAF, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean, added: 'CONCACAF was only made aware of this matter through media reports and, subsequently, via a media release,' their statement read on Wednesday morning.

'We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process.

'We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place.

'As leaders within football, we are the custodians of the game. Collectively, FIFA, the Confederations and every Member Association have a responsibility to always act in the best interests of the sport. Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, robust processes and long-term stewardship.

'This is the framework within which Concacaf operates. We trust that all within the FIFA family will act in the same manner.'

The Asian federation have also stated their disappointment at the lack of consultation from FIFA. 

There are major concerns over what the proposals could mean for the game, including whether FIFA could increase the frequency of tournaments to create more opportunities for financial backers to see a return on their investment.

The Club World Cup and men's World Cup are currently held every four years. FIFA have previously explored the possibility of staging both tournaments every two years.

FIFA maintain that they have a duty to control the development of this project, with external investors holding only a minority stake in FFE and having no operational role.

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