- CAF will review FIFA’s proposal to sell minority stakes in its major competitions
- The plan has attracted criticism from UEFA and other football bodies
- FIFA says the initiative will generate more funding for football development worldwide
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced plans to examine FIFA’s proposal to sell minority stakes in a new commercial entity that would manage the World Cup and other major football competitions.
In a statement issued late Wednesday, Eko Hot Blog gathered that CAF disclosed that its President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, will convene a meeting of the organisation’s Executive Committee next week to evaluate the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative.
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FIFA unveiled the proposal on Tuesday, saying it intends to establish a commercial subsidiary to oversee the operation of its flagship tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and Club World Cup.
The world football governing body said it would retain control of the new company while allowing private investors to acquire minority stakes. FIFA hopes to generate up to $4.2 billion from the initiative, based on an estimated valuation of $20 billion.
If approved, the proposal would provide each of FIFA’s 211 member associations with a one-time payment of $20 million in early 2027. It would also increase funding for member associations during the 2027–2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the initiative as a major opportunity to accelerate football development across the world.
However, the proposal has sparked opposition from UEFA, several European football federations and European Union officials, who have questioned the growing commercialisation of the sport and warned about possible conflicts of interest.
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have also expressed reservations, arguing that FIFA should have consulted all 211 member associations before making the proposal public.
CAF reaffirmed its commitment to engaging with its member associations as discussions continue, stressing that it supports efforts aimed at increasing financial resources for the growth and development of football in Africa and globally.
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