ZURICH (DA) — FIFA has defended its proposed Forward Enterprise project after CONCACAF and its 41 member associations rejected the plan over concerns about transparency, governance and due process.
FIFA acknowledged the public criticism but said incorrect media reports disrupted its planned consultation process. It did not identify the reports or specify which information it considered inaccurate.
The organization said it would continue consulting its 211 member associations so each federation can review the proposal and decide whether to support, reject or seek changes to it.
“No single entity can claim to represent all 211 MAs around the world,” FIFA said. “Each MA should be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping their own future.”
CONCACAF announced its rejection after meeting with the presidents of its 41 member associations, along with confederation officials and representatives on the FIFA Council.
The regional body cited concerns about a short deadline, the lack of due process and the absence of prior review or approval by the appropriate FIFA governing bodies. It also questioned the need for private investment to fund development programs following what FIFA called the most profitable World Cup in history.
FIFA Forward Enterprise would move FIFA’s commercial operations and tournament delivery activities into a subsidiary permanently owned and controlled by FIFA.
The organization rejected suggestions that the proposal would amount to selling football or surrendering control to private investors.
“Nobody is selling football,” FIFA said. “This is not something FIFA would ever entertain.”
Under the proposal, each member association would receive $20 million in regular FIFA Forward development funding for 2027-30 if the plan is approved, regardless of whether that association supported it.
A separate, one-time allocation of up to $20 million would be voluntary and financed through outside investment without giving up FIFA’s control or changing its governance structure.
FIFA said the proposal remains open to approval, rejection or amendments during the consultation process. If it does not receive majority support from the member associations, FIFA Forward Enterprise will not be established and the organization’s commercial operations will remain unchanged.