Former FIFA president Blatter criticises World Cup...

By Rohan Gupta — 29 July 2026 — 3 min read

Former FIFA President Criticises World Cup Plan

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has expressed strong disapproval of the football governing body’s proposal to establish a subsidiary valued at $20 billion to manage the World Cup. Blatter, who served as FIFA president for 17 years until 2015, stated that the tournament is not merely a commercial asset to be controlled by a select group of executives. He conveyed his shock at the idea, noting that he would never have considered such a plan during his tenure.

Blatter emphasised that football belongs to the people, not to any individual or institution. He warned that transforming FIFA into a profit-oriented corporate structure would cause it to lose its fundamental essence. He believes the World Cup should not be treated as an investment product for private equity firms seeking returns, asserting that FIFA acts as the guardian of the World Cup, rather than its owner. According to Blatter, the principle that modern football has survived for over a century because it belongs to the people should remain unchanged.

Details of the Proposed Investment Plan

FIFA announced its intention to create a subsidiary, named FIFA Forward Enterprise, to oversee its commercial and event operations, including the World Cup. The organisation plans to offer stakes of up to 20 percent in this new company to external investors, aiming to raise an estimated $4.2 billion in 2026. The equity valuation of this new subsidiary is reported to be $20 billion.

The plan suggests that each of FIFA’s 211 member associations would receive $20 million in funding if the deal proceeds, with annual funds to members projected to increase through 2038. FIFA has stated it would retain primary ownership of the new subsidiary, maintaining control over competition scheduling, governance, and regulatory decisions. Thrive Eternal, a fund established by Josh Kushner’s Thrive Capital, is slated to lead the investor group, with bankers from JPMorgan advising FIFA.

Widespread Opposition and Concerns

The proposed plan has drawn significant criticism from various football authorities globally. UEFA, European football’s governing body, has voiced strong opposition, stating that FIFA is putting the game up for sale. UEFA held an emergency meeting to discuss the matter, with French sports minister Marina Ferrari highlighting the importance of European stakeholders speaking with a unified voice on a project that could profoundly transform the sport. UEFA is reportedly considering a boycott of FIFA events, including the World Cup and the Club World Cup, in response to the investment plan.

Other confederations, including CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean) and the Asian Football Confederation, have also expressed concern over the lack of consultation and due process regarding the deal. They reported being informed about the plan through media reports rather than through established governance channels. The Football Association in England similarly stated it was unaware of the proposal and lacked substantive details. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also weighed in, asserting that football belongs to the fans, not investors, and that the World Cup is not a product.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is up for re-election next year and is term-limited after 2031, has been mentioned in connection with a potential future role as a commissioner or chief executive of the new company, although he has denied these discussions. FIFA generated $15 billion in revenue from the 2026 World Cup.

Source: aljazeera.com