Inside FIFA's Secret Plan to Reshape World Football

A confidential FIFA presentation seeking member approval for a proposed sale of part of its commercial business outlines plans to increase revenue through more tournaments, higher ticket prices and debt financing, according to a report by The Guardian.

The 25-page document, titled "FIFA Forward Enterprise Member Materials" and reportedly prepared by investment bank JP Morgan, was distributed to all 211 FIFA member associations this week as world football's governing body continues to push its proposed commercial restructuring.

FIFA eyes more tournaments and new revenue streams

According to The Guardian, the presentation states that an expanded tournament calendar will drive future financial growth, increased commercial partnerships and external financing.

The document reportedly identifies three key revenue drivers:

• A growing portfolio of FIFA tournaments
• Third-party capital and debt financing
• Greater focus on high-yield commercial partnerships and events

The proposal also reportedly references increasing the number of FIFA global tournaments from around 200 annually to approximately 450, a move that could intensify concerns over fixture congestion and player workload.

While the presentation does not explicitly mention a biennial World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has previously advocated staging the men's tournament every two years.

FIFA Commercial rights proposal

The report comes amid FIFA's proposal to establish a new commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would oversee the governing body's commercial operations.

As previously reported, FIFA is seeking approval to sell a 20% stake in the venture to an investor group led by Joshua Kushner.

According to the report, every FIFA member association has been offered a one-time $20 million payment if the proposal is approved. The presentation also projects that FIFA Forward funding could increase to $24 million per association during the 2035-39 funding cycle.

Debt financing raises questions

One aspect of the proposal that has reportedly prompted concern among football officials is the inclusion of debt financing despite FIFA's strong financial position.

According to The Guardian, one senior football figure questioned why FIFA would seek to borrow money given it reportedly holds cash reserves of around $4 billion and is projected to generate approximately $15 billion in revenue during its current four-year commercial cycle.

The report also says some officials questioned comparisons made in the presentation between FIFA and major North American sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball, arguing that governing bodies and franchise leagues operate under fundamentally different financial models.

FIFA World Cup Media rights could evolve

The presentation also reportedly discusses expanding media rights monetisation, suggesting FIFA could further optimise the sale of broadcasting rights for marquee tournaments.

According to the report, this could potentially involve greater use of subscription broadcasters and streaming platforms for premium events such as the FIFA World Cup.

Women's football absent from presentation

One of the most notable criticisms highlighted in the report concerns the lack of any reference to women's football.

According to The Guardian, the 25-page presentation contains no mention of the women's game despite FIFA's recent public emphasis on growing women's football globally.

The report also states that the identities of the proposed investors, their expected returns and exit strategy are largely absent from the document, despite a timeline that would reportedly allow investors to access key transaction materials before FIFA members vote on the proposal.

The proposal has already drawn opposition from UEFA and several national football associations, with critics arguing that introducing private equity into FIFA's commercial operations could fundamentally alter the governance and financial structure of world football.