FIFA’s $20 Billion World Cup Sale: Will UEFA Block It?
FIFA plans to sell up to a 21% stake in a new World Cup subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise. The plan targets a $20 billion valuation and roughly $4.2 billion in immediate cash from private investors.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) condemned the plan within hours of the report, calling football's governance something no institution should trade. The Times first reported the plan, and FIFA confirmed the outline the same day.
Why UEFA Says FIFA Crossed a Line
FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE, would house the World Cup's broadcast rights, ticketing, licensing and sponsorship income. It would fold all of that revenue into a single private vehicle. Joshua Kushner is reportedly negotiating to lead the purchase through his investment fund, Thrive Eternal. JPMorgan Chase is advising the organization on the sale.
FIFA runs a substantial sponsorship business of its own. No crypto exchange counts among the tournament's official sponsors. Kraken's FIFA partnership made it this year's crypto exchange supporter. Handing outside investors a cut of that income would break sharply from FIFA's usual model.
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