FIFA has a new plan to raise billions of dollars: Selling stakes in the World Cup
FIFA plans to raise $4.2 billion by selling minority stakes in a new commercial entity, 'FIFA Forward Enterprise,' which will manage rights for the World Cup and Club World Cup. The move has sparked controversy due to the organization's recent ticket pricing strategies.
Why it matters
This represents a major shift in the business model of global sports governance, moving toward private equity involvement in marquee international events.
Just days after staging the most lucrative World Cup in history, FIFA has a new — and instantly controversial — plan to raise more money: selling stakes in its marquee event to private investors for billions of dollars.
It's a complicated but potentially lucrative plan, one that comes as FIFA is still facing strong criticism for jacking up ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup across North America. FIFA is already set to bring in at least $13 billion from the past four-year cycle, the bulk of it from its marquee men's tournament.
In a statement on Tuesday, FIFA said it plans to create a new separate company that would handle the commercial rights to the men's and women's World Cup, as well as to the recently-introduced tournament called the Club World Cup.
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