RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesFILE PHOTO - FIFA's logo is seen at FIFA headquarters ahead of the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Zurich. Christian Charisius/dpa
FIFA hopes to have private funding in its controversial World Cup company complete by the end of October, the Press Association understands.
Plans to sell stakes in a private company which would oversee all commercial and operational aspects of FIFA’s competitions have drawn a furious reaction from UEFA, and raised concerns among European clubs and major leagues around the world.
Now PA has obtained documents setting out an indicative timeline to complete the investment process by the end of October.
Investors will be given access to a term sheet and select materials in August, with investors submitting initial ‘Letters of Intent’ (LOIs) in September, indicating the amount they wish to invest.
Binding bids would be agreed in October and funds from investors would be transferred to FIFA by the end of that month.
A group of private investors, who would collectively own around 20 per cent of FFE, is set to be led by Thrive Eternal, a company founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of United States President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Associations have been given until September 19 to indicate whether they support the FFE proposal and access up to $20 million each in development funding from January 1. FIFA says that if approved, the plans will allow it to distribute a total of $10 billion in development funding in the cycle between 2027 and 2030.
FIFA insists FFE would oversee the sale of commercial rights in, and operational delivery of, its tournaments, but that investors would have no say in determining matters such as the size and frequency of its big competitions, such as the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup.
However, there are major concerns that investors’ natural desire to maximise returns – and the need to fulfil promised increases in funding to national associations – will mean the inevitable growth of competitions, impacting the existing domestic and international football calendars.
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