UEFA to Hold Emergency Meeting Over FIFA's World Cup Commercial Rights Proposal

Agency. The European Football Association (UEFA) is preparing to call an emergency meeting of its 55 member nations' football associations this week in protest against FIFA's proposal to bring private investment into the commercial rights related to the World Cup. Sources indicate that the meeting will also discuss the possibility of boycotting the World Cup. FIFA has put forward a plan to raise 20 billion US dollars by selling a portion of ownership to external investors. For this, FIFA has proposed to form a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). This entity is expected to manage FIFA's commercial and competition operations, including future men's and women's World Cups. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that this plan will further expand FIFA's commercial potential. For this plan, FIFA is collaborating with the multinational financial services company JP Morgan. Among the potential investors is Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner. His brother-in-law, Jared Kushner, is the son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump. 'Football is not a commodity for sale' Following the public announcement of FIFA's proposal, UEFA immediately reacted strongly, publicly stating its clear position that 'Football is not a property for FIFA to sell'. UEFA's statement read: 'This is a line that football's governing bodies should never cross. The soul of football and its governance system are not assets to be bought and sold, especially in a situation where there is no transparency about who benefits financially.' UEFA has urged national football associations, leagues, clubs, players, fans, governments, and all stakeholders concerned about the future of football to take this matter seriously. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also became one of the first major world leaders to publicly criticize FIFA's plan. He wrote on social media platform X, 'Football is not the property of investors.' Preparation for World Cup boycott According to ESPN, there is widespread dissatisfaction within UEFA regarding FIFA's plan. Therefore, it is highly likely that a virtual meeting will be organized among all 55 member associations this week. Previously, in 2021, FIFA had proposed to host the World Cup every two years. However, FIFA backed down from that proposal after UEFA threatened a boycott. Sources suggest that the same strategy might be adopted this time. Proposal to give more money to member nations According to a statement released by FIFA on Tuesday, FFE aims to raise up to 4.2 billion US dollars by selling minority ownership based on an initial valuation of 20 billion US dollars this year. Infantino said, 'This is an effort to further democratize football worldwide.' According to FIFA, under the new 'FIFA Fast-Forward Program', member nations will receive more development assistance than currently until 2038. Currently, there is a provision to provide 8 million US dollars to each member association in the 2027-30 commercial cycle. Under the new plan, this amount is proposed to be increased to 20 million US dollars, then 22 million US dollars, and 24 million US dollars in subsequent cycles. New plan after record income FIFA earned approximately 12 billion US dollars from the 2026 World Cup, which is the highest income in World Cup history. Ticket and hospitality prices were unprecedentedly high for the tournament held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. However, questions are being raised about whether the same income will be possible from the 2030 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. FIFA has stated that member nations can only participate in the new financial plan if they wish. Furthermore, it has clarified that FIFA will retain full control over FFE, and FIFA will have the final authority over football governance, competitions, schedules, and all match-related decisions. FIFA has not yet announced a deadline for the final decision on this plan. FIFA's next online congress is scheduled for November 23, where the host nations for the 2031 and 2035 Women's World Cups will also be formally confirmed.