Infantino sets 19 September deadline for vote on $20bn Fifa investment plan

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has told the organisation’s 211 member associations they have until 19 September to back a private investment deal that could be worth up to $40m (£31m) in funding for each federation.

In a letter to member associations, Infantino set out a proposal to create a new subsidiary, Fifa Forward Enterprise, which he says would be valued at about $20bn and take charge of commercial activities linked to the World Cup, Club World Cup and other Fifa competitions.

Fifa is seeking external investors for the new vehicle, with up to 20% of the company available for sale, while the governing body would keep a controlling stake and, it says, full authority over sporting and governance matters.

Thrive Capital, the investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner, has been named as one of the potential investors associated with the plan.

If approved, Fifa estimates the structure could generate $10bn in development funds from 2027. According to the proposals, every member association would be entitled to apply for up to $20m in one-off “Fast Forward” funding, on top of a further $20m per federation through the standard Fifa Forward programme during the 2027-30 cycle.

Fifa has told members that, without the deal, it expects to be able to distribute only about $2.7bn in development funding over the same period.

The proposal needs the backing of a simple majority of Fifa’s 211 associations and must also be ratified by the Fifa Council before it can go ahead.

Strong opposition from Uefa and other confederations

The plan has already prompted a sharp backlash from Uefa, which has accused Fifa of pushing ahead with a decision timetable before holding full and inclusive talks with all stakeholders.

Uefa has criticised the imposition of the 19 September deadline, arguing that it leaves too little time for proper scrutiny of a complex commercial and governance package involving a major new private equity-style partner.

Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation have also expressed misgivings, highlighting what they describe as a lack of transparency and a restricted window to analyse the financial and regulatory implications in detail.

Officials from European football are expected to hold further internal discussions in the coming weeks on how to respond. Among the options being talked about, according to reports, is the possibility of boycotting Fifa competitions should the plan move forward in its current form.

Infantino, who has made expanding development funding a central part of his presidency, is seeking to secure formal support from associations ahead of the deadline, while the Fifa Council will ultimately decide whether to sign off on the structure of Fifa Forward Enterprise and the sale of any minority stake to outside investors.