World Cup
World Cup funding plan faces global backlash, FIFA under pressure
In a packed FIFA headquarters on Friday, President Gianni Infantino declared that the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme, designed to channel private investment into the World Cup, will not move forward after a wave of global consternation and protests from national associations and governments.
The cancellation comes after an intense backlash from national associations, governments and other football bodies. Critics argued the scheme threatened the integrity of the World Cup financing model.
The FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan was intended to inject capital into every FIFA Member Association by allocating a share of World Cup revenues to private investors. Organisers presented it as a means to strengthen football in nations that need support the most.
Investigations traced the investment group’s leadership to Jason Kushner, identified as the brother of US President Donald Trump's son‑in‑law Jared Kushner. His involvement linked the proposal to a high‑profile US family.
FIFA later published further details and a timeline of the initiative on its website. The governing body made the information publicly available after the controversy grew.
Infantino pulls $4.2bn World Cup stake plan after UEFA boycott threat
A late‑Friday statement titled “Statement attributable to the FIFA President” confirmed the withdrawal of the project. The document, signed by President Gianni Infantino, was released on Friday.
Inside FIFA, advisor Carlos Cordeiro, former US Soccer president, resigned, and chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said he felt “deceived” by Infantino. Lamour’s remarks highlighted internal discontent with the plan.
UEFA announced that all its member nations would boycott FIFA competitions, including both the men’s and women’s World Cups, a stance supported by CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation. The boycott adds further pressure on FIFA to rethink its approach.
In his own statement, Infantino said the Forward Enterprise project was meant to provide a basis for strengthening FIFA Member Associations, especially where support is most needed, but that the divisions created made continuation untenable. He reiterated that the proposal will not proceed.
Infantino added that he intends to reconvene interested parties in the coming days and weeks to pursue football growth worldwide, particularly in countries that most need assistance. The governing body hopes to find alternative ways to support development.