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See the full story · 1 sourcesGianni Infantino has confirmed controversial plans for the FIFA Forward Enterprise -Credit:Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto, Getty Images
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is seeking to capitalize on the success of this year's World Cup, with the global governing body plotting to sell a $20 billion minority stake in a new commercial entity.
According to The Times , FIFA is currently in discussions with JP Morgan to raise billions of dollars by offloading roughly 20 percent ownership of the new entity to external investors. Tech investor Joshua Kushner - whose elder brother, Jared Kushner, is married to President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump - is in talks to lead the transaction through his Thrive Eternal fund.
The sale represents the latest effort by Infantino - who aggressively responded to his critics on social media - to generate additional revenue for FIFA, as per The Mirror US . Plans for the FIFA Forward Enterprise were officially unveiled by the organization on Tuesday.
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-Credit:Bloomberg, Bloomberg via Getty Images
Funds generated from the deal would be used by the nonprofit to distribute more resources to its national member associations, one source said. Currently, the 211 members each receive approximately $2 million annually from FIFA.
Upon learning of FIFA's intentions to divest a minority stake, UEFA promptly condemned the sale while emphasizing that the organization had no authority to complete such a transaction.
"This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously," an official statement read. "So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.
"The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade - especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell."
Thanks to the 2026 World Cup, FIFA is on track to deliver at least $13 billion in revenue over its current four-year cycle. The quadrennial tournament boosted the governing body's revenues from $7.6 billion in the previous cycle, with the next cycle projected to generate a minimum of $14 billion.
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Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Infantino praised FIFA's work in orchestrating this year's World Cup before attacking those who criticized the event.
"To everyone who missed our beautiful game, the emotions, the celebrations, the laughter, the crying, the deception and the joy," he wrote. "To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents, and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness.
"Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all. To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organizing, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world.
"While you hide, we are exploring the streets of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, talking with fans, engaging with people and ensuring everyone's safety. While you divide, we unite. People came together as families, as fans, as one."
Infantino rounded off his address by lavishing praise upon himself for "delivering the most outstanding" World Cup. Taking another swipe at his detractors, he stated: "May you find peace; we at FIFA have found ours and we deliver it, by delivering the most outstanding FIFA World Cup. May football rise above all hate. Finally I am incredibly proud, as FIFA President, to have contributed, even a little, to this show. It's a great feeling!"
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