UEFA fury as FIFA boss Gianni Infantino wants to sell shares in World Cup spin-off venture

FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to sell shares in a new World Cup spin-off venture in plans already opening up ruptures in world football, with fury at UEFA.

And after hearing of attempts to sell shares in FIFA's commercial and events operations, one senior global football official told Sky News: "We will kill it."

FIFA confirmed it is looking to create a subsidiary worth $20bn (£15bn) and sell off a quarter of FIFA Forward Enterprise by raising $4.2bn (£3.16bn) from external investors.

European football's governing body UEFA said in a statement: "This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously.

"So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.

"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."

FIFA has been looking at expanding the men's World Cup from 48 to 64 teams.

It could allow Infantino to remain in charge of the World Cup in a lucrative role beyond 2031 when current FIFA term limits say he should leave the presidency.

He has to be re-elected next year for a final, four-year term.

Infantino's FIFA was accused by UEFA during the World Cup of damaging the integrity of football by lifting the immediate suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun following direct pleas from US President Donald Trump.

Infantino responded to UEFA's criticism by framing the sell-off around raising more cash for member associations to invest in football.

He said: "Our next stage of growth needs a structure built for it, one where the commercial side of the game operates as a focused, dedicated business, with its value shared more and better all around the world.

"Every FIFA Member Association should have an opportunity to seek a fair share of the available funding to shape its own future, deciding for itself rather than relying on others. This is about the democratisation of football worldwide."

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Sky News reported in February how Infantino pushed plans for a FIFA crypto coin during a trip to a private event run by the Trump family's venture, World Liberty Financial.

It was held at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

(c) Sky News 2026: UEFA fury as FIFA boss Gianni Infantino wants to sell shares in World Cup spin-off venture