FIFA member associations face a Sept. 19 deadline to approve Gianni Infantino’s controversial $20bn investment proposal amid mounting opposition.
FIFA president, Gianni Infantino has given the governing body’s 211 member associations until Sept. 19 to approve a controversial private investment plan, that would unlock up to $40 million in funding for each federation.
According to a letter sent to member associations, approval of the proposal would make a $10 billion funding package available from Jan. 1, 2027. If rejected, FIFA says it will instead proceed with its previously announced $2.7 billion FIFA Forward development programme.
The proposal would establish a $20 billion FIFA subsidiary, with private investors owning a 20% stake, to manage FIFA’s commercial competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup.
Each member association could receive up to $20 million in one-off “Fast Forward” funding alongside $20 million through FIFA Forward during the 2027–30 cycle, bringing the total available support to $40 million.
In his letter, Infantino described the proposal as a “singular and unique funding opportunity” and urged member associations to back what he called a game-changing initiative for world football.
The investment plan is backed by Thrive Capital, the investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President, Donald Trump.
The proposal has triggered widespread criticism across football. UEFA is expected to convene an emergency meeting of its 55 member associations after learning of FIFA’s deadline, with sources indicating the European governing body is considering options, including a potential boycott of future World Cups.
UEFA accused FIFA of attempting to pressure national associations by linking the one-off funding to support for the proposal, insisting football’s premier competitions are “not an asset to trade” and criticizing the lack of consultation and transparency.
The Football Association and Concacaf have also voiced concerns over the governance of the proposal, while figures within women’s football warned that increased commercial priorities could come at the expense of player welfare and the long-term development of the women’s game.
The latest dispute adds to growing tensions between FIFA and several of football’s major stakeholders, with critics arguing Infantino has increasingly pursued major initiatives without sufficient consultation during his presidency.
