All 41 CONCACAF nations reject FIFA Private Investment Plan

CONCACAF’s 41 member associations have unanimously rejected FIFA’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, citing concerns over governance, transparency and the proposed sale of World Cup interests to private investors.

CONCACAF’s 41 member associations have unanimously rejected FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan following a high-level meeting involving the confederation’s leadership, member association presidents and FIFA Council representatives.

The proposal centred on the creation of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new initiative that would involve selling interests in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.

However, CONCACAF said its members concluded that the process surrounding the proposal raised significant governance concerns.

In a statement, the confederation stressed that football must remain its foremost priority, highlighting the principles of service, transparent governance and long-term stewardship that it says have guided the organisation over the past decade.

It also warned that football has previously suffered when those responsible for leading the game moved away from those values.

CONCACAF said member associations questioned the lack of due process behind the proposal, the short timeframe given for consideration and the absence of review or approval through FIFA’s established governance bodies.

Delegates also challenged the need for private equity funding, noting that FIFA recently delivered the most profitable FIFA World Cup in its history.

Following the discussions, all 41 member associations agreed to reject the proposal. They also instructed their FIFA Council members to engage FIFA on the possibility of increasing FIFA Forward funding by using existing FIFA financial reserves rather than seeking outside investment.

In addition, the confederation tasked its FIFA Council representatives with urging the FIFA president to ensure any future proposals are processed through the appropriate FIFA governance channels, including staff, the FIFA Council and procedures outlined in the FIFA Statutes.

CONCACAF concluded by reaffirming that the future of football and its most valuable assets should remain under the stewardship of the football community.

The confederation said its collective decision reflects its commitment to transparency, proper governance and football development across the region.