FIFA gives national federations a September deadline to accept its $20m ‘bribe’
July 29 – FIFA has given the 211 member associations that make up world football until September 19 – or 53 days – to sign up to its deeply controversial plans to sell off a stake in the World Cup to private equity in return for $4.2 billion.
In a letter signed by Infantino and seen by Insideworldfootball, the world governing body has set the September deadline to respond to plans to privatise the World Cup, via a new commercial entity (FIFA Forward Enterprise – FFE) valued at $20 billion, and shower the member associations with an additional $12 million in development money to the $8 million already guaranteed, over the next four-year cycle to the 2030 World Cup.
Infantino calls the plans “a natural next step” and promises the $20 million in development money starting in 2027 for the 2027 to 2030 budget cycle, with the figures raising to $22 million for the 2031-34 cycle, and $24 million for the 2034-38 cycle.
Infantino also emphasises the one-off $20 million fee is “only for those member associations who wish to participate, with their decision made by 19 September…”
A senior source speaking on basis of anonymity called the imposition of the deadline “bribery”.
If the member associations don’t agree, FIFA would maintain their current Forward Programme grant at a maximum of $4 million a year, despite the new money being raised being on the back of all of FIFA’s membership and their participation in FIFA’s competitions.
Infantino writes: “In total for the upcoming cycle starting as of 1 January 2027, each Member Association will have the possibility to access up to $40 million per Member Association under this proposal. Over a 12-year, 3-cycle period, this would represent cash payments of c. $86m ($40m + c. $22m + c. $24m) compared to the $3 million received over the same time period before my election.”
The FIFA boss says the decision to implement FIFA Forward Enterprise will be taken democratically by the membership, requiring the support of more than half the membership and express approval by the FIFA Council. He reiterates that the proposal has been underwritten by Thrive Capital, launched by Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared Kushner is a son-in-law of US president Donald Trump, and that more investors would be brought on board while FIFA retains control.
However, to create space for Infantino’s desired new investors in the future more equity in FFE would have to be issued.
Finally, Infantino explains that there will be no change to Fifa’s governance model, but with no ownership of its commercial rights and much-reduced control, it would be a very emaciated organisation.
Infantino own role as proposed commissioner, with substantial remuneration above his current $6 million per annum package, is not mentioned. Infantino currently pays himself more annually than any of his national member associations receive in FIFA grants.
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