The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has confirmed plans to establish a new commercial entity, the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), in a move it says will unlock billions of dollars for global football development but has already drawn fierce criticism from Europe’s football governing body, UEFA.
The proposed body would oversee FIFA’s commercial rights and operational delivery while seeking private investment to accelerate the global football governing body’s long-term financial ambitions. The initiative will require external stakeholders and funding, although FIFA insists it will maintain full control over football’s governance and regulatory functions.
According to FIFA, the project is designed to significantly expand investment in the sport by raising up to USD 4.2 billion in capital. The organization believes the additional funding could increase football development spending to more than USD 10 billion, benefiting its 211 Member Associations worldwide.
The governing body has approached several potential investors, including Josh Kushner’s Thrive Capital, as it explores strategic partnerships to finance the venture. Global financial services firm J.P. Morgan is also working alongside FIFA on the project.
The announcement comes as FIFA President Gianni Infantino is widely expected to seek another term in office. It is understood that he is being lined up to become commissioner of the proposed enterprise should the initiative receive the necessary approval.
FIFA stressed that the proposal remains subject to consultation and approval by all 211 Member Associations, which will now enter a period of discussions before any final decision is taken.
FIFA Defends New Commercial Structure
Seeking to address concerns over private investment, FIFA emphasized that outside investors would not control the organization or influence football-related decisions.
In a statement, FIFA said “Outside investors will have only a minority stake in FFE and will not play any operational role.”
The governing body further insisted that it would continue to exercise complete authority over every sporting aspect of the game. “FIFA will retain sole control of FFE and exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions.”
Alongside the commercial enterprise, FIFA also announced plans for a complementary initiative known as the FIFA Fast Forward Programme (FFFP).
Under the proposal, every one of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations would be eligible to participate and could access up to USD 20 million in one-off capital to support football projects within their respective countries.
FIFA believes the combined initiatives will strengthen football infrastructure, improve development opportunities and provide greater financial support to national associations across every confederation.
UEFA Rejects Proposal
Despite FIFA’s assurances, the proposal has been met with immediate resistance from UEFA, which opposes the creation of the new commercial vehicle.
European football’s governing body believes the plan risks opening the door to private ownership interests in football’s commercial future and has made clear it will not support the initiative.
In a strongly worded statement, UEFA declared that “none of us are the owners of football and it is not FIFA’s to sell.”
The comments underline growing tensions between the two governing bodies over the future commercial direction of the global game.
While FIFA maintains that investors would hold only minority interests and would have no involvement in operational or sporting matters, UEFA remains unconvinced that introducing private capital into such a structure is in football’s long-term interests.
The proposal is now expected to be debated extensively during the consultation period with FIFA’s Member Associations, whose approval will ultimately determine whether the FIFA Forward Enterprise becomes reality.
If endorsed, the initiative would mark one of the most significant structural and financial changes in FIFA’s history, reshaping how the governing body manages its commercial assets while testing the balance between attracting private investment and preserving the independence of world football’s administration.
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