FA 'deeply concerned' over FIFA plan to sell $4bn stake in its competitions

The Football Association has said it is "deeply concerned" by FIFA's plan to sell off a stake in competitions such as the World Cup.

FIFA plans to set up a separate $20bn company to run its competitions, with 20% of it ($4bn) offered to external investors.

The brother of President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is reportedly in line to be lead investor in the subsidiary, to be called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The plans announced yesterday have provoked swift condemnation.

A spokesperson for England's FA said it had been "completely unaware" of the proposal

They said the organisation was "deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved".

The statement added: "When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further."

European football governing body UEFA said the plan "crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross" and urged clubs and national football associations to speak out.

"The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade - especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell," said a statement.

European nations are discussing boycotting the World Cup if FIFA boss Gianni Infantino pushes ahead with plans.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham struck a similar tone on social media this morning.

"The World Cup is not a product," he posted.

"It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone's to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out."

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(c) Sky News 2026: FA 'deeply concerned' over FIFA plan to sell $4bn stake in its competitions