FIFA weighs $20 billion carve-out of commercial business with minority stake sale

FIFA is planning to sell minority stakes in a new commercial company at a valuation of about $20 billion, a move that would deepen its effort to separate revenue-generating operations into a standalone business. The proposed structure has become contentious beyond the financing itself, with UEFA warning that football's governance and identity should not be treated as assets for sale and criticizing the lack of transparency over who would benefit financially. The Times reported that FIFA president Gianni Infantino could play a role in the new company after his final term, potentially as a commissioner or chief executive, though Infantino later said the idea had never been discussed. FIFA reportedly consulted with the Trump administration on the plans, while Jared Kushner was not among the investors lined up. The debate comes as FIFA points to the commercial upside of its tournaments: the organization said it made $15 billion in revenue from the 2026 World Cup, up from an estimated $7.57 billion during the 2022 World Cup cycle.