Sports · World Cup · ArchiveFIFA's $20bn World Cup Privatization Faces BacklashAired July 29, 2026 at 4:16 AM UTCWritten September 7, 2026 at 9:22 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:00FIFA has confirmed plans to create a $200:02billion private company to run the World0:04Cup. The entity, named FIFA Forward0:06Enterprise, would sell up to a 20% stake0:08to investors led by Josh Kushner's0:09Thrive Eternal, raising $4.2 billion.0:12The proposal has sparked immediate0:14backlash from UK Prime Minister Andy0:16Burnham and European football body UEFA.0:18FIFA Forward Enterprise is valued at $200:20billion.0:22A stake of up to 20% will be sold to0:24raise over $4 billion, with Josh0:26Kushner's Thrive Eternal as the lead0:28investor. FIFA President Gianni0:30Infantino defends the plan, while UK0:32Prime Minister Andy Burnham says0:33football does not belong to investors.0:36The investor group is led by Josh0:37Kushner. FIFA says the deal will more0:39than double annual funding to its 2110:42member associations from $8 million to0:44$20 million. UEFA's statement warns FIFA0:48is putting the soul of the game up for0:49sale.0:52The plan also faces potential legal0:54hurdles under EU competition law and0:56state aid rules. Critics say seating0:58control of the World Cup to private0:59investors threatens the integrity of the1:01global game.Explore with HeyDexThe shortThe short ↗