MONROVIA – Liberia Football Association (LFA) Executive Committee member Christian G Weah sr. has thrown his weight behind FIFA’s controversial proposal to sell a commercial stake in the FIFA World Cup, calling on African football governing bodies to rally behind the initiative, which could unlock up to US$40 million in funding for each member association.

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By: Christopher C. Walker 0777898224 / 0886723075 | [email protected]

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Weah argued that while the proposal may face fierce pushback from European football powers, it presents a transformative financial opportunity for the growth and infrastructure of African football.

“Africa must support this proposal. It’s good for the development of football in Africa. Bad for Europe and others, but good for us. I na say my own,” Weah stated in a public release.

His remarks come as FIFA conducts extensive consultations with its 211 member associations regarding the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative.

Under the plan, FIFA seeks to attract private investment into its commercial rights in exchange for significantly boosted development grants across the globe.

According to FIFA’s blueprint, if the initiative receives widespread approval, member associations opting into the Fast-Forward program would receive an immediate US$20 million lump-sum payment starting January 1, 2027.

An additional US$20 million would then be disbursed through the standard FIFA Forward framework across the 2027–2030 cycle.

The LFA, alongside other global member federations, has been requested to submit its formal position on the proposal by September 19, 2026 a deadline considered pivotal for associations intending to access the initial funding package.

Should the plan pass globally, FIFA projects that funding allocations will expand incrementally over successive cycles:

 According to the plan in 2027–2030: US20 million lump sum+US20 million in standard cycle distributions.

 In 2031–2034: US$22 million per member association while in 2035–2038: US$24 million per member association.

The funds are slated to support grassroots football, youth development, stadium infrastructure, coaching education, women’s football, national teams, and domestic league competitions.

Mounting European and Asian Resistance

Despite vocal backing from figures like Weah, the proposed commercial vehicle has sparked intense resistance from influential global stakeholders.

European Leagues which represent major competitions including the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, and Italy’s Serie A have outright rejected the idea, expressing alarm over introducing private equity into the commercial apparatus of the World Cup.

UEFA has similarly launched a scathing critique of FIFA’s consultation process, accusing world football’s governing body of leveraging financial incentives to pressure member associations.

In a sharply worded release, UEFA declared that FIFA “cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends,” insisting that football’s key constituents clubs, players, leagues, and supporters must take precedence over private commercial ventures.

La Liga President Javier Tebas launched an equally direct broadside against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, alleging that the governing body’s proposal operates like “an electoral campaign financed with the future of football.”

Tebas maintained that competition rights belong strictly to the global football community, not to any sitting administration looking to consolidate political influence.

Concurrently, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) issued an official declaration establishing its opposition to the initiative.

CAF Prepares Formal Review

While opposition builds elsewhere, discussions within the African continent remain active and fluid.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed in an official statement on July 29 that it has received FIFA’s correspondence.

CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe is expected to convene an emergency meeting of the CAF Executive Committee to thoroughly evaluate the economic and structural merits of the proposal.

CAF urged its 54 member federations to carefully analyze the documentation and actively engage in FIFA’s consultation mechanism in compliance with regulatory framework guidelines.

With 54 votes, Africa represents the largest voting block in FIFA. How the continent aligns could serve as the decisive factor in whether Infantino’s ambitious funding program secures the necessary threshold for global implementation.

For Liberia, approval of the deal would represent an unprecedented influx of direct revenue into domestic sports a financial lifeline capable of addressing acute infrastructure deficits, elevating women’s football, and strengthening local club administration.

However, administrators across the continent must weigh those immediate windfalls against broader concerns over long-term commercial control and governance.