FIFA presses investor plan talks after UEFA boycott warning

FIFA said on Friday it would continue an "open and democratic" consultation with member associations on a proposed private investment plan, after UEFA said it was ready to boycott the World Cup over the proposal.

The plan would create a commercial subsidiary to run FIFA's biggest events and allow private investors to buy stakes in the company. FIFA said all member associations should be able to consider it and said: "Nobody is selling football."

FIFA said it had heard concerns from confederations including UEFA and CONCACAF. It said incorrect media reports had disrupted the planned consultation and that it would proceed so each member association could vote based on facts.

FIFA has said the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a $20 billion valuation. If approved, FIFA said the project could give each of its 211 member associations a one-off $20 million payment in early 2027 and raise their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million.