FIFA Scrapped Plan to Sell Stakes in $20 Billion Commercial Subsidiary

FIFA abandoned a proposal to create a commercial subsidiary and sell a minority stake to private investors after facing significant opposition.

The move represented a fundamental shift in how the global soccer governing body manages its revenue. By introducing private equity into the organization's structure, FIFA sought to monetize its commercial assets through a corporate entity rather than traditional federation management.

In March 2026 ^[3], President Gianni Infantino proposed the creation of a commercial subsidiary named FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The organization intended to value this new entity at $20 billion ^[1] and sell a 20% minority stake to private investors ^[2].

Infantino said the plan was intended to unlock new commercial opportunities for FIFA and its member associations. He said the move was a bold step to modernize the sport by creating the subsidiary and offering the stake to investors ^[2].

Despite the stated goals of generating new revenue streams to fund future tournaments, the proposal encountered immediate resistance. Critics raised concerns regarding the governance of the sport and how profits would be distributed among member nations. Mark Ogden, an ESPN senior writer, said the $20 billion valuation was ambitious but raised serious questions about governance and the distribution of profits ^[1].

The backlash centered on the risk of prioritizing private investor returns over the development of the game. Following the outcry, the proposal was scrapped in April 2026 ^[3]. The decision to withdraw the plan prevented the transition of FIFA's commercial operations into a private-equity-backed model, a move that would have permanently altered the financial landscape of international soccer.