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Outrage in Europe: What Infantino's World Cup investor plans mean
Wide-ranging outrage, objections from politicians and a clear veto from UEFA: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has once again sparked major criticism with his latest plans involving investors in the World Cup.
Nine days after the World Cup final in the United States, the governing body announced that it intends to raise billions of dollars by potentially selling part of its commercial rights, including those related to the World Cup.
It is not the first time that President Infantino has actively pursued such an unprecedented sell-off of FIFA rights.
In November 2018, he promoted an investment deal for the marketing rights to a new 24-team Club World Cup and a global Nations League featuring a finals tournament for continental champions. The deal was worth a staggering $25 billion. At the time, Infantino failed.
Infantino's move after World Cup turbulence
This time, FIFA cited expected proceeds of $4.2 billion to be used for football development around the world.
Such a move would also have another effect: after serving another term as president, Infantino could become CEO of the newly established subsidiary FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) from 2031 onward, allowing him to retain significant influence within FIFA even after his 15 years in office end.
It is another classic Infantino manoeuvre. During the World Cup, he faced heavy criticism over the lifting of a suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun after an intervention from US President Donald Trump. Now he is going on the offensive.
Earlier this week, it emerged that a Democratic congressman wants to summon Infantino before the House Judiciary Committee for questioning when he is in the United States.
But now media attention has shifted as many are asking: What happens next with the planned FIFA deal?
What would change for fans?
FIFA announced no concrete changes for fans. But according to a report by The Times, such a deal could increase pressure to expand the World Cup field even further or stage the tournament more frequently than the current four-year cycle.
The reason lies in the business model behind such investments: investors expect the commercial company's revenues to grow. As revenue and company value increase, so does the value of their investment. More matches or more tournaments could generate higher income.
In its statement, FIFA said it would retain "and exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, the international match calendar and all regulatory and sporting decisions."
Infantino has already stated that revenues during the current World Cup cycle are expected to rise to $15 billion.
Who are the opponents, and what can they do?
The most powerful opponent is Europe's governing body UEFA, which clearly expressed its rejection by saying the FIFA plan "crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross."
UEFA stated that it is taking the matter very seriously and an emergency meeting of the European associations could reportedly take place before the end of the week.
On Wednesday morning, UEFA declined to comment on reports suggesting it was considering boycotting FIFA competitions.
UEFA notably released its statement based on the Times report and before FIFA officially confirmed the report by announcing the plans.
UEFA vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke emphasized Europe's significant influence, saying: "At the World Cup, six European teams reached the quarter-finals and three reached the semi-finals. If European football stands united against these plans, that carries enormous weight."
This is not the first time UEFA has positioned itself as a defender of the status quo in world football. During Infantino's billion-dollar plans in 2018, UEFA, led by President Aleksander Ceferin, openly opposed FIFA and ultimately prevailed.
Ceferin was also one of the loudest and most prominent critics of the proposed European Super League in 2021. Among other measures, he announced that players involved in the Super League could be barred from competing in the World Cup and European Championship.
This time, however, the opposition is likely to be more complicated, as Infantino's FIFA intends to shower the football world, especially smaller associations, with additional funding.
Is the proposed deal likely to gain majority support?
That appears likely. Beyond Europe's opposition, many smaller member associations are expected to support the idea because it would significantly increase their income.
"This is about the democratisation of football worldwide," Infantino said. “We intend to invest heavily even in the smallest or most remote parts of the footballing world, places that are too often passed over."
According to FIFA, annual payments to member associations could more than triple, reaching an average $7 million per year by 2038. This represents a huge financial opportunity, especially for smaller federations. Infantino said every FIFA member association should receive a fair share of the deal to shape its own future.
A proposal currently under review will soon be presented to FIFA's 211 member associations and the FIFA Council, which are responsible for making the decision, a FIFA spokesperson has said.
The CONCACAF confederation, which represents nations in North and Central America and the Caribbean, expressed disappointment with the process.
"We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process," CONCACAF told The Guardian. “Concacaf was only made aware of this matter through media reports and, subsequently, via a media release.”
What role could Infantino play?
If the model is implemented, Infantino could lead the new company as commissioner or chief executive. However, a FIFA spokesperson stressed that this scenario has never been discussed in concrete terms.
The president and FIFA administration would nevertheless have to assume leading roles in the new entity, if it i...
OutrageEuropeWhat InfantinoWorld CupWideUEFAFIFAGianni InfantinoNineUnited StatesPresident InfantinoIn November
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