FIFA’s plan to sell a 20% stake in a $20 billion subsidiary managing the World Cup has drawn sharp criticism from former president Sepp Blatter, who called the tournament a cultural asset, not a commercial product. The proposal, announced Tuesday, would allow external investors to buy into the new entity overseeing FIFA’s flagship event.
Blatter’s opposition to FIFA’s investor plan
Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years until 2015, told Reuters the World Cup “belongs to the people,” not executives or private equity firms. He argued that transforming the tournament into an investment vehicle would strip it of its soul and contradict the principles of member-driven football associations.
“The FIFA World Cup is not a commercial asset that belongs to a handful of executives,” Blatter said. “It is part of the cultural heritage of world football.” He added that he would never have considered such a move during his tenure, emphasizing FIFA’s role as guardian, not owner, of the competition.
European football authorities react
The proposal has faced backlash from European governing bodies, including UEFA, which accused FIFA of putting the game “up for sale.” Critics warn that investor influence could prioritize profits over the sport’s broader interests, a concern Blatter echoed in his remarks.
FIFA has not yet named potential investors or set a timeline for the stake sale. Observers will watch for further details on how the subsidiary will operate and whether opposition from football’s governing bodies will force revisions to the plan.
