Accra: The Ghana Football Association (GFA) stands to gain up to $40 million if it endorses FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell minority stakes in FIFA's major competitions. Infantino has communicated this proposal to all 211 FIFA member associations, including the GFA, urging them to support the plan by September 19 to qualify for an initial $20 million, becoming available from January 1, 2027.
According to Ghana Web, FIFA aims to create a commercial subsidiary to manage its flagship competitions, such as the FIFA World Cup, allowing external investors to acquire minority stakes. FIFA believes this could substantially boost its commercial revenue. The funds distributed to member associations, including the GFA, would originate from selling a minority share in FIFA Forward Enterprise, a subsidiary designed to maximize FIFA's commercial potential.
For Ghana, this financial package could significantly enhance football development across various areas. The GFA could use the funds for infrastructure projects, youth development programs, women's football, grassroots initiatives, referee development, and improvements to domestic competitions.
However, the proposal has faced criticism from several football associations worldwide, particularly in Europe, Asia, and North America. Concerns have been raised regarding governance, transparency, and the speed of the decision-making process. Some officials have questioned the adequacy of the consultation process, asserting that key stakeholders were not sufficiently informed before the announcement.
In his communication to member associations, Infantino defended the initiative as a transformative opportunity for global football. He emphasized his responsibility to present such opportunities and ensure that proposals are complete, feasible, and contain substantiated figures and clear terms to aid in decision-making.
The GFA has not yet publicly declared its stance on the proposal. Should it approve the plan before the September deadline, Ghana would become eligible for the initial funding package as FIFA proceeds with its proposed commercial restructuring.