Is FIFA falling apart?

THE WORLD GOVERNING body for Football-FIFA seems not be bursting at it seams, with its President Gianni Infantino, the tailor.

This, as issue after issue mount putting the administration of the sport into a tailspin.

A media storm hit the global skies when it was revealed that FIFA is considering bringing private investment into the commercial side of its business.

Accordingly, the proposal if implemented would create a new commercial subsidiary, called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

This translates to a transfer of the commercial rights for competitions such as the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup into that subsidiary.

Additionally, the proposal aims to sell as many as 20% of the subsidiary to outside investors.

Again, the commercial venture is reported to rake in approximately $20 billion, with FIFA set to raise about $4.2 billion through the sale.

Amidst everything, FIFA would retain majority ownership and control, as well as the governance and decisions related to tournaments.

The proposal was followed by a September 11, 2026 deadline for the 211 member federations to approve the private investment which can see each association access up to $40million in funding.

A breakdown shows a 420 million in a one – off Fast Forward and another $20 million in FIFA Forward Development for the 2027- 2030 cycle.

Despite the “sounding good” effect of the proposal, some revelations and reactions followed Infantino’s pronouncements.

Almost immediately, both UEFA and Concacaf heads have distanced themselves from Infantino’s plans.

Both expressed little or no knowledge of the proposals ahead of the media reports, and hence called out Infantino for lack of due process.

The latest episode has already dented the administration and trust of the FIFA hierarchy.

It also comes off the 2026 World Cup hosted in the USA, Mexico and Canada. And, there was much emerging prior and during the June 11 to July 19, extravaganza.

From the geo-political fall outs, Infantino’s close alliance with USA’s President- Donald Trump, such that he was presented with a Peace Prize.

Then there was a myriad of concerns within the staging of the World Cup, inclusive of Infantino’s hands out approach in some sensitive and defining matters.