Infantino has told all 211 FIFA member associations they have until 19 September to approve his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, according to The Times, warning that rejecting the proposal would cost them almost 75 percent of the potential funding on offer.
In a letter seen by The Times, Infantino set out the financial stakes clearly. Should associations agree, a $10 billion funding package would become available from January 2027, giving each member association access to up to $40 million.
Reject it, and that figure drops to $2.7 billion under FIFA’s existing Forward development programme. Those opposed to the plan have said they viewed the offer as “pure bribery.”
The proposal has triggered a swift backlash since it was revealed on Tuesday. The English FA said it was “deeply concerned by the lack of process and governance” behind the plan, adding it had been given no substantive detail on what the proposal actually involves or what conditions are attached, and would comment further once fuller information is shared.
Concacaf voiced similar frustration, stating it only learned of the plan through media reports rather than any direct communication from FIFA.
“We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process,” the confederation said, adding that football’s governing bodies carry a responsibility to act with “good governance, robust processes and long-term stewardship.”
With barely two months now on the clock before the September deadline, football’s governing bodies appear headed for a tense standoff over the future ownership of the sport’s biggest tournament.
Photo: Megan Briggs/Getty Images
