FIFA's Controversial Proposal Could Win Over Smaller Nations

FIFA's proposals to sell stakes in major tournaments could garner support from smaller nations, who might be enticed by a significant increase in funding, according to football finance experts. The global football governing body announced plans on Tuesday to create a private company to manage its biggest events, including the World Cup, with external investors invited to purchase shares.

This move follows the record-breaking $15 billion revenue generated by this summer's tournament in North America, compared to $8 billion in Qatar in 2022, once again highlighting football's commercial appeal. The proposals, which would further boost revenues, have been met with criticism, particularly from UEFA. However, individual member associations of the European football body could also stand to gain significant financial benefits. Initial projections suggest a minimum of 20 billion euros would be generated from the sale of these stakes.

"In this scenario, some of the smaller nations could receive 20 million euros annually, which is an incredibly substantial amount. The focus is primarily on larger profits. This can also be expected from the increased number of participants in the World Cup," stated Kieran Maguire, a football finance specialist.