FIFA has defended its proposal to sell minority stakes in a commercial World Cup entity, rejecting claims that it is commercializing the sport.
The response comes after UEFA threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions.
On Friday, July 31, 2026, FIFA issued a statement addressing the controversy.
The plan, which involves creating FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was met with furious reactions from European football's governing body and CONCACAF.
Investors led by Thrive Eternal are reportedly seeking a minority stake, with backing from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
FIFA moved to clarify its intentions while refusing to withdraw the initiative.
"We have heard the feedback provided by the respective confederations in relation to the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and would like to address the issues that have surfaced since the initial media reporting on Tuesday," FIFA stated.
The organization reaffirmed its commitment to open and democratic consultation with all member associations.
"We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation," the statement continued.
FIFA expressed frustration over how the proposal was presented in news outlets. "Our planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports.
We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each MA has the ability to express its vote based on facts," FIFA stated.
The governing body argued that the financial structure aims to support member federations directly without compromising football's core principles.
"FFE has been proposed solely to ensure that all FIFA Member Associations (MAs) have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries, and that this does not come at the cost of either the spirit or the governance of FIFA or football itself," FIFA stated.
FIFA strongly denied allegations that private equity would gain control over the sport's global administration. "Nobody is selling football.
This is not something FIFA would ever entertain," FIFA stated.
The organization maintained that every constituent body deserves a voice in evaluating the investment plan.
"Each MA should be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping their own future," FIFA stated.
Despite FIFA's assurances, UEFA maintained a firm stance, warning that European national teams will refuse to participate in future World Cups or FIFA events unless the commercial plans are completely scrapped.
"No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership," UEFA stated.
CONCACAF also formally rejected the proposal, while domestic European leagues expressed fears that private investors would force expanded tournament schedules at the expense of local club competitions.
