FIFA plans to create a semi-private subsidiary for the commercial operations of the World Cup and other competitions. The governing body said Tuesday that FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE, could carry an initial valuation of $20 billion. FIFA would retain control while selling minority, non-controlling interests of up to 20% to long-term investors. Read More: FIFA Names Best XI as Major Spain Omissions Spark Debate The sale could raise $4.2 billion. FIFA said it would keep “exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions.” Infantino and Investor Questions Fuel Backlash FIFA responded after The Times revealed the plan through two sources familiar with the discussions. The newspaper reported that Gianni Infantino could become FFE commissioner after his expected next term ends in 2031. It said the role might allow the 56-year-old FIFA president to earn tens of millions of pounds. FIFA did not confirm that claim. However, FIFA said Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Eternal would likely lead the investor group. Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. FIFA is also working with JPMorgan, which tried to finance the failed European Super League. UEFA reacted sharply. “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously,” it said. “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.” Read More: FIFA Reveals Stunning Numbers Behind World Cup 2026 The Times quoted a senior football figure calling the proposal “potentially much worse than the European Super League.” Another source warned of “unacceptable” conflicts of interest involving FIFA and Infantino. FIFA Promises More Than $10 Billion for Development FIFA said each of its 211 member associations could access up to $20 million in one-off development capital. The voluntary offer would come through the FIFA Fast Forward Programme, not individual equity stakes in FFE. The money could support stadiums, coaching, national teams, women’s football and grassroots programmes. FIFA estimates total development funding could exceed $10 billion over four years. The plan still needs majority support from member associations and approval from the FIFA Council. FIFA said outside investors would have no operational role and all net benefits would return to football. The proposal follows the first 48-team World Cup across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Before the tournament, FIFA forecast more than $8 billion in 2026 revenue. It now expects the 2023 to 2026 cycle to exceed $15 billion. Read More: Spain Rewrites Football History by Winning Both Men and Women FIFA Titles Infantino has also discussed a possible 64-team World Cup in 2030. Critics fear private capital could pressure FIFA to expand competitions or stage them more often. Infantino previously backed a $25 billion investment plan for an expanded Club World Cup and global Nations League. European resistance derailed it in 2018. FIFA later expanded the Club World Cup from seven to 32 teams in 2025. The 2001 collapse of marketing partner ISL reportedly cost FIFA between $30 million and $115 million. FIFA remains a Swiss-based non-profit association with favourable tax treatment.
Why a 64 Team World Cup Could Become Reality in 2030
FIFA will examine the possibility of expanding the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams after the conclusion of the 2026 tournament, President Gianni Infantino has said, arguing that every nation should have the opportunity to dream of playing on football’s biggest stage. Speaking in an interview with Swiss media outlet Bluewin, Infantino said FIFA’s relevant committees will discuss whether increasing the number of participating teams from 48 to 64 is the right next step after what he described as the successful debut of the expanded 48 team format. “That’s definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup,” Infantino said. The FIFA chief defended the idea by stressing that the World Cup should represent every continent rather than only traditional football powers. “When organising a World Cup, it’s important to organise it for the whole world, not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world. Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup. You can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high and it’s getting higher and higher, all over the world. If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.” FIFA praises 48 team format after strong global performances The 2026 World Cup marked the tournament’s first expansion from 32 to 48 teams, increasing the schedule to 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Infantino described the new format as a “huge success” and pointed to the improved performances of teams from outside Europe’s and South America’s traditional football strongholds. “Every team played at a high level. Teams from every continent scored goals and earned at least one point,” he said. “Nine out of 10 African teams reached the knockout stage. At the last World Cup, there were only five teams from Africa. That just goes to show how important it is to include all teams, to give them this opportunity to participate.” Only four teams remain in the current tournament. Argentina, England, France and Spain have reached the semi finals after a month of competition that began with 48 nations. Expansion could reshape the centenary World Cup The 2030 World Cup will celebrate the tournament’s 100th anniversary and will become the first edition staged across multiple continents. Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will each host one opening match to commemorate the inaugural 1930 World Cup in Uruguay. Morocco, Portugal and Spain will then stage the remainder of the tournament. If FIFA approves a 64 team format, the three South American hosts could each stage an entire four team group instead of a single opening fixture. A further expansion would add 16 more national teams only four years after the move to 48 participants. Supporters believe it would create more opportunities for developing football nations and accelerate the sport’s global growth. Critics, however, argue that a larger tournament could stretch the calendar, increase travel demands and dilute the quality of qualification. FIFA has not set a timeline for making a final decision. The proposal will first go through the organisation’s committees before any recommendation reaches the FIFA Council for approval.
FIFA Just Made the 2026 World Cup Richer Than Ever Before
FIFA has turned the 2026 World Cup into the richest tournament in football history, with prize money rising by about 50 percent compared to the 2022 edition in Qatar. The expanded tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature 48 teams and 104 matches. It will also distribute a record $727 million among participating nations, according to figures approved by the FIFA Council. Of that amount, $655 million will be paid as performance-based prize money. The biggest reward will go to the eventual champions. FIFA has confirmed that the winning federation will receive $50 million, the largest prize ever awarded to a World Cup winner. The runners-up will earn $33 million, while the third and fourth-placed teams will receive $29 million and $27 million respectively. As a result, the final weekend of the tournament could mean a difference of millions of dollars for the remaining contenders. The increase reflects FIFA’s growing revenues and the commercial strength of the world’s most watched sporting event. FIFA expects the 2023-2026 cycle to generate record income, helping fund larger payments to participating nations and development programs around the world. Every Stage Carries Major Financial Rewards Teams that reach the quarterfinals will each receive $19 million. Meanwhile, nations that advance to the round of 16 will collect $15 million. A place in the newly introduced round of 32 guarantees $11 million. Even countries that fail to progress beyond the group stage will not leave empty-handed. FIFA has allocated $9 million to each group-stage team. In addition, every qualified nation will receive a separate preparation payment of $1.5 million. This means all 48 participants are guaranteed at least $10.5 million simply for reaching the tournament. For smaller football nations, those figures could transform the future of the sport. Football associations often use World Cup earnings to build academies, improve stadiums, expand coaching programs and support women’s football initiatives. Furthermore, the expanded format creates new opportunities for countries that rarely qualify for the tournament. More nations will have access to substantial funding, helping narrow the development gap between football’s traditional powers and emerging teams. Financial Windfall Beyond the Pitch The official prize money represents only part of the financial picture. Successful teams can also benefit from sponsorship agreements, commercial bonuses, broadcasting incentives and player-related endorsement deals. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the financial package as groundbreaking for global football. “The FIFA World Cup 2026 will also be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community,” Infantino said when FIFA approved the record funding structure. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across North America. By the time the final whistle blows, FIFA’s biggest World Cup could also become its most financially significant. For many nations, the rewards may continue long after the trophy has been lifted.
