Gianni Infantino tells FIFA members to agree to World Cup plan or miss $40m in funding

Key Points:

• FIFA President Gianni Infantino has set a September 19 deadline for member federations to approve a private investment plan that would create a $20 billion FIFA subsidiary, offering up to $40 million in funding per association starting in 2027.
• The plan, backed by Thrive Capital, proposes selling a 20% stake in FIFA's competitions and events, including the World Cup, to private investors, with a $10 billion funding package available if approved versus $2.7 billion if rejected.
• UEFA and other federations have expressed strong opposition, criticizing the lack of consultation and governance, with UEFA considering a potential World Cup boycott and describing FIFA's approach as prioritizing profit over the sport's integrity.
• Concerns have been raised within women's football circles that the proposal and possible boycotts could negatively impact the women's game, especially with the next Women's World Cup scheduled for 2027.
• The Football Association and Concacaf have voiced deep concerns about the plan's transparency and governance, calling for full disclosure before making further comments.