FIFA president issues ultimatum of 10 billion to all nations.

Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, has issued an ultimatum to all national associations, offering a total package of $10 billion if they agree to his proposal to sell stakes in future World Cups to private investors. If they do not accept the terms within the next six weeks, the available investment will be reduced to about a quarter of that amount. This announcement follows the revelation by The Times of Infantino's plan to create a subsidiary company that would seek investors willing to buy between 20% and 30% of the shares in FIFA's major tournaments.

Reactions to this proposal were swift and intense. The term “nuclear bomb of football” was used by various media outlets to describe the gravity of the situation. According to the statement, FIFA is offering $40 million to each national association that agrees to the proposal before the deadline of September 19. “The decision to proceed with this proposal or not is entirely up to you,” Infantino wrote in the letter, as quoted by The Times. The president added that if the associations choose to maintain the status quo, the Forward development program, with a budget of $2.7 billion, is still available.

Meanwhile, a climate of confusion and discontent prevails among the associations. The English Football Association stated that it was completely unaware of the proposal and expressed concern over the lack of an adequate process for discussing such changes. Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, also revealed that he only learned about the plan through the press. Concacaf, which represents associations from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, expressed its concern over the lack of process and the public sharing of information before any discussions with stakeholders.

The reaction from UEFA was particularly strong, considering that Infantino's plan “crossed a line.” The governing body of European football is contemplating more drastic actions, including a boycott of future World Cups. Reports indicate that several European nations are considering this possibility, with a virtual meeting of the 55 UEFA associations scheduled to discuss the matter. Tensions between UEFA and FIFA continue to escalate, with the former positioning itself as the voice of good governance in contrast to the controversial decisions of the sport's governing body.