MIAMI, Florida, USA – In a decisive move following an emergency meeting yesterday, Concacaf, the football confederation representing North, Central America, and the Caribbean, has formally rejected FIFA’s controversial proposal to sell a minority stake in the World Cup and other flagship tournaments to private investors.
The unanimous rejection by all 41 Concacaf member associations comes just days after FIFA announced its intention to create a new commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), and sell up to 21% of it for a target of $4.2 billion.
The move, which would inject immediate cash into member associations, has sparked fierce backlash over governance and transparency.
Sources close to Thursday’s summit revealed that the discussions went far beyond financial concerns.
One insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the “vast majority” of Concacaf members expressed a profound erosion of trust in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, with some stating they have “lost confidence altogether” in his leadership.
A second source acknowledged that while that description may be slightly strong, there was unanimous unease over the current direction of FIFA’s executive approach.
The confederation’s public statement echoed those private sentiments, citing deep procedural flaws.
“The membership expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies,” the statement read.
It also questioned the necessity of private equity funding, noting the irony following “the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history.”
Concacaf’s rejection aligns with a growing coalition of dissent. Earlier this week, UEFA, European football’s governing body, threatened a boycott of all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, unless the plans were scrapped.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also voiced disappointment over the lack of proper consultation. Meanwhile, the African confederation has taken a more measured stance, encouraging its members to examine the proposal while acknowledging its involvement in consulting processes.
In response to the outcry, Infantino attempted to downplay the proposal in a recent interview, insisting it was “not an obligation” and reiterating that any implementation would require a majority vote from FIFA’s 211 member associations and the FIFA Council.
However, Concacaf is not waiting for assurances. The confederation has formally tasked its FIFA Council members with two clear mandates: first, to engage FIFA on utilising existing reserves to boost FIFA Forward development funding for the region; and second, to instruct the President to adhere strictly to proper governance processes via staff and the FIFA Council, in line with FIFA’s own statutes.
The rejection carries additional weight given Concacaf’s prominent role as a host. Its member associations recently staged the 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 men’s World Cup, while the U.S., Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica are set to co-host the 2031 Women’s World Cup. (CMC)
