FA 'deeply concerned' over FIFA plan to sell $4bn stake in its competitions

The FA has said it is "deeply concerned" by FIFA's controversial plan to sell off a stake in its competitions - as other federations voiced growing disquiet over a lack of consultation.

FIFA wants to set up a separate $20bn company to run its competitions, with 20% of it ($4bn) offered to external investors.

The brother of President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is reportedly in line to be lead investor in the subsidiary, to be called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The plans - announced yesterday - have sparked accusations football is being "sold off" and follow a string of controversies surrounding the recent World Cup.

A spokesperson for England's Football Association (FA) said it had been "completely unaware" of the proposal.

They said the organisation was "deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved".

The statement added: "When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further."

European governing body UEFA has also savaged the plan.

It urged clubs and national football associations to speak out and said the proposal "crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross".

"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," said a statement.

European nations are discussing boycotting the World Cup if FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushes ahead.

Mr Infantino has promised the new entity will solely be focussed on "generating as much value as possible" for national associations to invest in homegrown football.

However, regional governing bodies said they were left blindsided and accused FIFA of not consulting them.

CONCACAF, which looks after football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, said it had discovered the plans second hand - despite its leader, Victor Montagliani, being a FIFA vice president.

It said it was disappointed details were "shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place".

"Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, robust processes and long-term stewardship," its statement said.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also said it was unhappy about not being consulted.

"Initiatives of this scale and consequence must be founded upon the principles of good governance, transparency and meaningful consultation," a statement said.

The head of the Czech FA is a current outlier in supporting FIFA's plan.

David Trunda told Mark Kleinman, Sky's City correspondent, it would provide valuable extra funding for grassroots football and infrastructure.

"Of course we need more details, but my personal point of view is that I can see the positive impact of FIFA's intentions," Mr Trunda said.

Infantino issues deadline

Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris said Mr Infantino had given national associations until 19 September to back his plan, with a boosted $40m incentive to accept.

He made the offer in a letter to FIFA's 211 member associations.

Mr Infantino warned they would have much less cash for development, grassroots football and national teams if they didn't support his plan.

He said the launch of FFE needed the backing of its ruling council and more than 50% of its members.

Mr Infantino wrote: "Should neither condition be satisfied, FIFA will continue as planned with the Forward Programme 4.0… meaning approximately $10m per ME [Member Association] for the next cycle."

One football figure told The Times it was "pure bribery".

FIFA has not commented on how much Mr Infantino stands to benefit financially from delivering the $20bn venture.

In his letter, the Italian called it a "singular and unique funding opportunity only for those Member Associations who wish to participate, with their decision to be made by 19 September 2026 so we can plan ahead and with funds to be available immediately as of 1 January 2027".

He said the new company would be "fully focused on one target objective; generating as much value as possible for FIFA's Member Associations".

Thrive Capital - an investment firm run by Joshua Kushner, brother of President Trump's son-in-law, Jared, is being positioned as the lead backer of the deal.

Mr Infantino has been accused of being too close to Mr Trump: He awarded him a special FIFA peace prize before the World Cup and suspended a red card given to America's star player after the president called him.

The growing commercialisation of the event, such as soaring ticket prices and the introduction of hydration breaks (which allow more adverts to be shown), has also been widely criticised.

FIFA's boss said critics of this summer's World Cup were "consumed by hate" and had spread "false rumours".

In a statement on his own and FIFA's Instagram accounts on Monday, he said they missed all the "joy and happiness" the tournament had brought.

(c) Sky News 2026: FA 'deeply concerned' over FIFA plan to sell $4bn stake in its competitions