ZURICH, Switzerland — FIFA has given its 211 member associations until September 19 to decide whether to support a proposal that would allow the world football governing body to sell stakes in a new commercial entity responsible for managing its major competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. The proposal, announced on Tuesday, has triggered widespread debate within the global football community, with critics raising concerns over the possible commercialisation of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
Under the proposal, FIFA plans to establish a separate commercial subsidiary that would oversee the commercial rights and business operations of its flagship competitions. To encourage support, FIFA said every member association that approves the plan before the deadline would receive a payment of $40 million. The organisation believes the restructuring would create new investment opportunities, strengthen the commercial value of its tournaments, and generate additional revenue that could be distributed across football development programmes worldwide.
The proposal has, however, attracted significant criticism from football stakeholders, administrators, and governance advocates. Opponents argue that selling stakes in competitions such as the FIFA World Cup could reduce the governing body’s long-term control over its flagship events and prioritise commercial interests over the sporting values of the game. Some have also questioned the transparency of the process and warned that private investors could gain considerable influence over football’s biggest competitions if the plan proceeds.
FIFA has defended the initiative, insisting that the proposed subsidiary would improve operational efficiency while unlocking new sources of funding for football development. According to the organisation, the additional revenue generated would support infrastructure projects, youth football, women’s football, and other development initiatives across member nations. The governing body maintains that associations will retain the opportunity to review the proposal before voting and has urged members to make their decisions ahead of the September 19 deadline as preparations continue for future international competitions.
The outcome of the vote is expected to have major implications for the future commercial structure of global football. If approved by a sufficient number of member associations, FIFA would move forward with one of the most significant financial reforms in its history, potentially reshaping how the World Cup and other major tournaments are managed and financed in the years ahead. Critics and supporters alike are expected to intensify lobbying efforts before the deadline as football’s governing body seeks backing for its ambitious commercial strategy.
