FIFA puts $30 million on the table, instantly dividing the football world.

FIFA's proposal to sell equity tied to the World Cup has become contentious, with President Gianni Infantino warning 211 member associations that they risk losing $30 million in assistance should they fail to support the new initiative.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sparked a wave of debate in the global football community after sending a tough message to all 211 member associations. According to The Independent, FIFA has announced that these associations are at risk of losing up to $30 million in support funds if they do not back the plan to establish a new company to manage commercial rights, paving the way for selling shares in the World Cup and other major tournaments to external investors.

This move comes after FIFA announced its plan to create FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), an entity that will oversee commercial operations and organize major tournaments, while also opening the door to external investment. In a letter to the associations, Infantino emphasized that the level of financial support will change significantly depending on the outcome of the vote on September 19, thereby making the $30 million support fund the focal point of the upcoming ballot.

According to the letter, if FFE is approved, funding from the FIFA Forward program for each association in the 2027-2031 cycle will increase from about $8 million to $20 million. Additionally, FIFA pledges an extra "one-time" support of $20 million for associations that vote in favor of the plan. Conversely, if the proposal is rejected, support in the new cycle will be only $10 million, meaning each association will miss out on a total of $30 million in additional funds.

FIFA also stated that support amounts could continue to rise in subsequent cycles, reaching $24 million for the 2035-2038 period. Funding for this plan is expected to come from Thrive Eternal, an investment fund managed by Joshua Kushner. According to FIFA, the deal could raise up to $4.2 billion to fuel future development strategies for major tournaments.

However, Infantino's plan has faced fierce opposition from UEFA. The European football governing body believes that FIFA is trying to sell the "soul" of football, while also criticizing the linking of financial support to the associations' votes. In its latest statement, UEFA emphasized: "Today we learned that FIFA has set a deadline forcing associations to support the proposal, otherwise the one-time payment will be canceled. That says it all about this plan."

UEFA further stated that after many discussions with stakeholders, opposition to FIFA's plan is growing. The organization asserted: "FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and those close to them. We can develop football in a more proper way. It is time to prioritize associations, clubs, leagues, players, and fans."

Nevertheless, Infantino still receives support from many associations in Africa, South America, and Asia, where FIFA funding plays a crucial role in maintaining national teams, developing youth football, and investing in infrastructure. He previously stated: "Without FIFA, there would be no football in 150 countries around the world." With only 53 days left before the vote, the $30 million support fund is becoming a particularly weighty factor for many member associations.