FIFA Calls It a 'No Sell' Policy Amid Controversial Investment Plan

Sun Sep 06 2026 11:58:37 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

FIFA denies selling football as it pushes forward with a new investment plan, facing boycotts from European and American football associations.

FIFA has defended its plan to sell minority stakes in its flagship competitions, insisting that ‘nobody is selling football’. The move has sparked angry responses, with the European football confederation’s 55 members and Concacaf’s 41 voting to boycott World Cups if the proposal goes ahead.
FIFA’s answer is to launch a commercial subsidiary, Fifa Forward Enterprise, that will allow private investors to hold non‑controlling shares while safeguarding the sport’s spirit. The plan requires a vote of FIFA’s 211 members, with 106 votes needed to pass – a hurdle the association faces as 96 of those members (UEFA and Concacaf) are expected to vote against.

FIFA says ‘nobody selling football’ as it pushes ahead with an investment plan that has sparked anger.

European and North‑American football governing bodies threaten a boycott of World Cups if FIFA goes ahead. The European Football Confederation’s 55 member countries and 41 Concacaf associations have all rejected the proposal.

FIFA responds that its plan is about creating a commercial subsidiary, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), that would let private investors own minority, non‑controlling stakes while keeping the sport’s spirit intact. The association will hold a vote, needing 106 of its 211 members in favour.

With 96 of those members—UEFA and Concacaf combined—expected to vote against, the proposal faces a tough challenge, but FIFA says it will continue its ‘open and democratic’ consultation process.