FIFA Dangles $40 Million Payout to Get Nations to Back World Cup Sell-Off Plan

Since FIFA's plan to sell stakes in its commercial rights leaked and detonated across European and Asian football on Tuesday, Gianni Infantino has moved fast to lock down votes. He's now offering member associations a cash incentive to say yes.

According to a five-page letter reviewed by BBC Sport, Infantino told all 211 member associations they'll receive $40 million each if they back his plan by September 19. Get to yes, and $20 million becomes available immediately starting January 1, 2027, according to the letter. FIFA says that money comes from "liquidating a minority portion" of its stake in a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise.

The plan itself: FIFA wants to spin up FFE to house its commercial rights, broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing, plus operational control of tournaments including the World Cup. According to Sky Sports, FIFA would sell off more than 20% of FFE to outside investors, with the whole entity valued around $20 billion. FIFA claims the sale could raise up to $4.2 billion up front and generate more than $10 billion in what it calls "football development funding" over four years.

There's a stick attached to the carrot. Infantino's letter, as reported by Sky Sports, warns that if the plan doesn't clear 50% support among member associations plus his ruling council, FIFA reverts to its existing Forward Programme 4.0, which pays out roughly $10 million per federation for the next cycle. That's a quarter of what's on the table if nations comply.

For federations already stretched thin on grassroots funding, that math is hard to ignore. A $40 million payout dwarfs annual operating budgets for most of FIFA's 211 members, and Infantino's letter makes clear the smaller Forward Programme payout is the fallback if the vote fails.

Who's already caving, and who isn't

Czech Republic FA president David Trunda became the first major federation head to publicly back the plan, telling Sky News, "I can see the pragmatic benefits for Czech football from working in close co-operation with Gianni Infantino and his team. Of course we need more details, but my personal point of view is that I can see the positive impact of FIFA's intentions."

UEFA isn't having it. The European body called the plan a line that "football's governing institutions should never cross," according to the Mirror, adding: "The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade - especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football: it is not FIFA's to sell." UEFA is reportedly convening an emergency meeting of European federations.

The FA's response, cited by both BBC and thewhistler.ng, is more measured but still pointed: "We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is and what conditions are attached... we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government weighed in too. Health Secretary Andy Burnham, cited by Sky Sports, said plainly: "Football belongs to the fans."

The governance fight underneath the money

Multiple people who attended a FIFA council meeting before this month's World Cup final dispute FIFA's account of how much they were told. FIFA claims Infantino gave a broad outline of the sell-off plan at that meeting. According to BBC and thewhistler.ng, attendees say Infantino offered nothing more than an "aspirational vision" about maximizing revenue, not a concrete proposal to sell equity stakes.

That's a legitimate governance complaint, not just sour grapes from federations losing a power struggle. If FIFA's account is accurate, member associations had real notice and are now stalling for leverage. If the dissenters' account is accurate, FIFA negotiated a multi-billion-dollar restructuring in secret and is now presenting it as a done deal with a cash bonus attached to fast compliance. Some FIFA vice-presidents themselves say they were kept in the dark, according to the BBC, which suggests this wasn't a broad, transparent consultation regardless of which side is right about that one meeting.

Infantino, for his part, defended the process directly: "It is my duty and responsibility as Fifa president to present such significant opportunities to you, our members. It is equally my duty and responsibility to ensure such proposals are sufficiently complete and feasible, replete with substantiated figures and clear terms to assist you in the decision-making process."

FIFA maintains it would retain sole control over governance and sporting decisions even after selling the minority stake, according to Sky Sports. Whether that promise satisfies UEFA, the FA, or the dozens of other federations weighing $40 million against institutional control will be answered by September 19.