CAF Reviews FIFA's Stake Sale Plan for Major Competitions

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has called on its members to review FIFA's controversial plan to sell stakes in its major competitions, including the World Cup. CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe will host a meeting of the CAF executive committee next week to assess and evaluate the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative.

FIFA announced plans to create a commercial subsidiary to manage its biggest events, allowing private investors to acquire minority stakes. The initiative aims to raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for the subsidiary.

If approved, each of FIFA's 211 member associations could receive a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027, with increased funding for the 2027-2030 cycle rising from $8 million to $20 million. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the initiative as a "golden opportunity" for global football development.

However, the proposal has faced criticism from UEFA and other European federations, raising concerns about commercialization and conflicts of interest.