Football Forward Enterprise Project: Infantino Makes U-turn

Gianni Infantino’s intention to pool FIFA’s commercial rights; broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing, and licensing; with the ope­ rational delivery of FIFA tournaments through the creation of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) will evidently not come to life, at least for now. The plan would have allowed private investors to buy stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions. The proposal disclosed on Tuesday July 28, 2026 was not taken lightly by some confederations despite the clarifications made by the football governing body. UEFA, for example, threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if such plans saw the light of day. “UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We una­ nimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competi­ tions to private investors,” UEFA said in a statement on Thurs­ day, July 30, 2026. Due to the pressure, Infantino was forced to make a U-turn on his proposal. “Having lis...