FIFA Explores New Project to Transform Football

FIFA has announced the launch of a new company named FIFA Forward Enterprise, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FIFA. The aim is to unify all commercial activities and events of the international federation, while ensuring that FIFA retains full control over the management of football, competitions, and regulatory and sporting decisions.

This move coincides with a plan to sell a non-controlling minority stake in the new company, as part of a deal valued at approximately $20 billion. Up to $4.2 billion is expected to be raised from strategic investors before the end of the year, with all net profits reinvested in the development of football worldwide.

FIFA has revealed an unprecedented funding program for its 211 member national federations, with each federation set to receive $20 million in exceptional and immediate funding for special projects. Additionally, the value of the FIFA Forward program will be raised to $20 million per federation for the period 2027-2030, followed by $22 million for the period 2031-2034, and $24 million for the period 2035-2038.

The proposed group of investors will be led by Thrive Eternal, chaired by Greg Maffei, the CEO of Pan Ventures and former CEO of Liberty Media, which previously owned the Formula 1 championship. J.P. Morgan has been tasked with managing the financial aspects of the process, along with other advisors to engage with investors from various continents.

FIFA has confirmed that external investors will only hold minority stakes and will have no role in managing the game or making sporting decisions. The organization emphasized that the project does not alter FIFA's structure or independence. The launch of the new company remains contingent on obtaining approval from FIFA Council members during their upcoming meeting.

UEFA has issued an official statement expressing its deep anger at this proposal, stating: "None of us owns football; football is not for FIFA to sell."