28 Jul, 15:05··

FIFA Plans to Sell World Cup Rights

ZEIT Online

FIFA plans to sell shares in the World Cup to investors. This has angered UEFA and other organizations. The plan aims to raise billions of dollars.

FIFA wants to create a new company, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to manage World Cup commercial rights. They plan to sell up to 30% of the shares to investors. UEFA and other groups strongly oppose this, calling it a breach of trust. FIFA offered member associations $40 million each for approval by September 19th. The plan is intended to generate financial benefits for FIFA and its member associations.

Summarized from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.

Highlights

FIFA plans to sell commercial rights

FIFA intends to create a company and sell shares to investors for $4.2 billion.

UEFA strongly opposes the plan

UEFA criticizes FIFA’s plan, calling it ‘trading goods’ and a breach of trust.

Investment offers to national associations

FIFA offered $40 million to each national association for approval by September 19th.

Potential share sale to investors

FIFA plans to sell up to 30% of shares in the World Cup to investors.

Concerns about FIFA’s control

The plan raises concerns about FIFA’s control over World Cup revenue and its governance.

Perspectives

Sources agree
  • FIFA plans to create a company to manage World Cup commercial rights.
  • FIFA intends to sell a portion of its ownership to private investors.
  • The plan involves selling shares in the World Cup for a significant amount of money.
  • UEFA and other organizations strongly criticized FIFA’s plan to sell commercial rights.
Sources disagree
FIFA’s approach to selling commercial rights

FIFA believes this is a ‘chance, not an obligation’ to generate revenue and positively impact member associations.

Gianni Infantino

UEFA and other organizations view this as prioritizing profit over FIFA’s role in regulating football and a ‘trading goods’ approach.

UEFA, RTL Nieuws, NRK, Dagens Nyheter

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The extent of FIFA’s share sale

FIFA plans to sell up to 30% of shares in the World Cup.

ZEIT Online, FAZ

UEFA sees this as crossing a line and a significant concern.

Der Standard, UEFA

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The impact on FIFA’s governance

FIFA argues this will positively impact member associations and improve the tournament.

DW English, DW Deutsch, FIFA

Critics worry about potential conflicts between investors and FIFA’s role in governing football.

France24 English, France24, UEFA

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Timeline

1d 5h span
28 Jul, 15:0529 Jul, 19:53
world cupfootballcommercializationFIFAfinance