FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed a $20 billion [1] private-equity plan to create a U.S.-based company to manage the World Cup.

The move represents a fundamental shift in how the world's most popular sporting event is financed and governed. By selling a stake in revenue to private investors, FIFA seeks to modernize its financial structure, but the plan has sparked a fierce backlash from regional football powers.

The proposal involves the creation of a U.S. company that would oversee the operations of both the men’s and women’s World Cups [1], [2]. According to the plan, FIFA has offered a one-off payment of $20 million [3] to each of its 211 member federations [4]. Member federations have until Sept. 19, 2026 [3], to accept this offer.

Opposition has grown among UEFA in Europe and various Asian football federations [2], [5]. These organizations have voiced concerns regarding the risks associated with private equity ownership and the potential loss of control over the tournament. Some critics have described the initiative as extortion and an attempt to enrich FIFA leadership and its allies [6], [5].

FIFA said the plan will generate new revenue and modernize World Cup financing [6]. The proposal is reportedly backed by investors including Jared Kushner [3].

Despite the promised influx of capital, the tension between the central governing body and regional federations remains high. The deadline for the $20 million [3] payment serves as a critical juncture for the 211 [4] member nations to decide whether to align with the new corporate structure or resist the privatization of the tournament's revenue streams.

“A $20 billion private-equity plan to create a U.S.-based company to manage the World Cup.”

This proposal signals a move toward the 'Americanization' of global sports governance, shifting the World Cup from a non-profit federation model toward a private-equity corporate structure. If successful, it would grant U.S.-based investors significant influence over the sport's most lucrative asset, potentially alienating traditional football strongholds in Europe and Asia while creating a massive immediate cash windfall for smaller member nations.