Can FIFA privatize the World Cup?

In recent days, football's governing body unveiled a project to create a dedicated entity to manage its commercial events and operations.

FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) would operate as a for-profit entity overseeing broadcasting rights, ticketing, licensing, and sponsorships. FIFA plans to sell up to 21% of FFE to private capital, working alongside investment bank JP Morgan.

According to FIFA, establishing FFE would directly boost revenues for all 211 member associations, with each potentially receiving up to $20 million USD over the next four years to fund local development projects.

A vote on the proposal is scheduled for December 19, featuring all FIFA-affiliated member countries. President Gianni Infantino promised an advance payment of $20 million USD to associations voting in favor.

On Thursday, UEFA issued a firm statement declaring that no European national team will participate in FIFA competitions as long as the FFE project remains active. "Some things are simply too important to sell. The World Cup belongs to football. It will always be so. And as long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale," concluded the statement, backed by all 55 European federations.

Meanwhile, the leading candidate to head the investment group should the deal go through is Thrive Eternal, a firm owned by Joshua Kushner, brother of U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law.