Sepp Blatter has warned that FIFA will lose its soul if it implements a controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. There has been outrage across world football after FIFA confirmed the plans on Tuesday.Under the scheme, a company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), would be put together to oversee FIFAs top competitions in the mens and womens games, including the World Cup and the Club World Cup. The plan could see FIFA president Gianni Infantino earn tens of millions and raise the possibility of the World Cup and Club World Cup being held more often than every four years.FIFAs 211 member associations would receive a stake that they could either keep or sell to generate income. In addition, it is claimed that Infantino, set to be re-elected unopposed until 2031, would be positioned to become commissioner of the company after his final term as president comes to a close. It is expected he could command a salary of $64m as commissioner.A majority stake in the company would be owned by FIFA, with private investors taking on around 20 to 30 per cent and the member nations each possessing a small stake. Joshua Kushner brother of Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared is the proposed lead investor.Infantino has subsequently written to all 211 member associations, giving them extra incentive to back the plan.He has told the members they will receive $40m (�30m) if they support the plan, adding that �20m will be immediately available to them on January 1 next year.However, Infantino gave those members a deadline of September 19 by which to accept to the one-time offer.European footballs governing body UEFA has vehemently criticised the plans, saying they cross a line that footballs governing institutions should never cross.And former FIFA president Blatter, who resigned in 2015 amid a corruption probe and was subsequently banned for eight years by the bodys ethics committee, has joined the chorus of dissenting voices.Football belongs to no individual and to no institution. It belongs to the people, Blatter told Reuters.If FIFA were transferred into a profit-oriented corporate structure, it would lose its soul.Blatter has criticised his successor on numerous occasions, slamming the decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, the award of the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia and the suspension of United States forward Folarin Baloguns ban for a last-16 tie with Belgium at this years competition after apparent influence by US president Donald Trump.The FIFA World Cup is not a commercial asset that belongs to a handful of executives, Blatter added. It is part of the cultural heritage of world football. FIFA is the guardian of the World Cup, not its owner. There is a fundamental difference.The beneficiaries should be the game itself from grassroots football to the highest international level not outside investors seeking returns. Topics FIFA FIFA World Cup Gianni Infantino World Cup Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read FIFAs World Cup sell-off: UEFA responds after Infantino sets deadline to accept $40m offer Nicholas McGee 29th July, 2026 CONCACAF joins UEFA in condemning FIFA plans for World Cup sell-off Jon Fisher 29th July, 2026 Football is not FIFAs to sell UEFA slams Infantino over plans to sell stakes in World Cup Nicholas McGee 28th July, 2026 Neymar hits back at malicious fake news: I wont accept that total lie Ben Miller 27th July, 2026 Neymar: Watch goals video as Brazil icon cops ban on Santos return in strikers first match since World Cup 2026 Ben Miller 26th July, 2026 Infantino escapes investigation over relationship with Trump during World Cup Mitch Fretton 24th July, 2026
