FA 'deeply concerned' over FIFA plan to sell $4bn stake in its competitions

The Football Association has said it is "deeply concerned" by FIFA's plan to sell off a stake in competitions such as the World Cup.

FIFA wants to set up a separate $20bn company to run its competitions, with 20% of it ($4bn) offered to external investors.

The brother of President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is reportedly in line to be lead investor in the subsidiary, to be called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The plans announced yesterday have provoked swift condemnation and come after a string of controversies surrounding FIFA's running of the recent World Cup.

A spokesperson for England's FA said it had been "completely unaware" of the proposal.

They said the organisation was "deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved".

The statement added: "When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further."

European governing body UEFA has savaged the plan.

It said urged clubs and national football associations to speak out and said the proposal "crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross".

"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," said a statement.

European nations are discussing boycotting the World Cup if FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushes ahead.

CONCACAF, which governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, said it had discovered the plans second hand - despite its leader, Victor Montagliani, being a FIFA vice president.

"We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process," the federation said.

"We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place."

It said football's leaders had to ensure their decisions were "guided by good governance, robust processes and long-term stewardship".

Infantino's deadline to accept

Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris said a letter had revealed Mr Infantino giving football associations until 19 September to back his plan, with a $40m incentive to accept.

He raised the money available in correspondence to FIFA's 211 member associations.

Mr Infantino warned they would have much less cash for development, grassroots football and national teams if they didn't support his plan.

He said the launch of FFE needed the backing of its ruling council and more than 50% of its members.

Mr Infantino wrote: "Should neither condition be satisfied, FIFA will continue as planned with the Forward Programme 4.0… meaning approximately $10m per ME [Member Association] for the next cycle."

FIFA has not commented on how much Mr Infantino stands to benefit financially from delivering the $20bn venture.

In his letter, the Italian called it a "singular and unique funding opportunity only for those Member Associations who wish to participate, with their decision to be made by 19 September 2026 so we can plan ahead and with funds to be available immediately as of 1 January 2027",

He said the new company would be "fully focused on one target objective; generating as much value as possible for FIFA's Member Associations".

With concern over the plans growing, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also had his say on social media this morning.

"The World Cup is not a product," he posted.

"It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone's to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out."

(c) Sky News 2026: FA 'deeply concerned' over FIFA plan to sell $4bn stake in its competitions