FIFA backed down from its proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise. This subsidiary would take over part of the commercial and operational management of its tournaments, after the project sparked deep divisions among member associations, confederations, and other stakeholders in soccer.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the initiative will not move forward, noting that the level of division it generated ultimately strayed from the original objective: to strengthen the 211 member associations and increase the resources allocated to development programs.
The project called for the creation of a FIFA-controlled company that would manage the organization’s business operations, pursue new commercial opportunities, and generate additional revenue to be distributed among member associations.
Infantino explained that the proposal would only move forward if it had the majority support of the member associations and following a consultation process with the federations, the FIFA Council, the confederations, and other sectors linked to football. However, the reactions over the past few days changed the course of the plan.
“After carefully listening to all opinions, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the original objective,” the leader stated.
The organization’s president was clear in confirming the outcome of the initiative: “Consequently, this proposal will not move forward.”
The proposal also called for increasing funding for the FIFA Forward program by providing $20 million to each member association during the 2027–2030 period, regardless of their stance on the project. In addition, it included FIFA Fast Forward, a voluntary program that would allow each federation to access an additional $20 million through external investment.
FIFA had maintained that the creation of the subsidiary would not alter its governance structure nor result in a loss of control over its commercial activities. However, the differences that arose during the consultation process ultimately brought the initiative to a definitive halt.
“Our purpose has always been—and always will be—to unite and improve,” said Infantino, who added that in the coming days he will seek to resume dialogue with the parties involved to explore new alternatives that will drive the growth of soccer and maintain support for the associations that depend most on development programs.
With the cancellation of FIFA Forward Enterprise, FIFA’s commercial operations will continue under the current structure.
