FIFA has denied that it plans to sell ownership of football or the World Cup as controversy grows over a proposed new structure for its commercial operations and events. In a statement issued Friday, FIFA responded after 55 UEFA members and 41 member associations from the CONCACAF region opposed the proposal. The governing body said its aim is to create more development funding and commercial opportunities for member countries.

FIFA said the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise would be a wholly owned FIFA subsidiary, intended to manage the organisation's commercial and event operations more efficiently. It argued that misleading media reports had caused misunderstandings about the plan and disrupted the scheduled consultation process. FIFA said the final decision would be made democratically after hearing the views of all member associations.

The body said none of football is being sold and that such an option would never be considered. It said each of its 211 member countries has the right to review and comment on the proposal, while no single confederation can represent the entire membership. Under the plan, each association would receive $20 million in development support from 2027 to 2030, alongside a proposed optional one-time $20 million fund. Implementation requires majority support.