FIFA vice-president and FA chairwoman Debbie Hewitt has demanded that FIFA president Gianni Infantino release all documents concerning his proposal for private investors to buy stakes in the World Cup, sources told ESPN.
The demand, reported by ESPN, marks a direct challenge from within FIFA's own leadership to Infantino's plan to open the World Cup to outside investment. Hewitt holds two roles simultaneously: she serves as a FIFA vice-president and as chairwoman of the FA, placing her at the intersection of the global governing body and one of its most influential national associations.
According to ESPN, Hewitt is pressing for full transparency around the proposal, which would allow private investors to acquire stakes in the World Cup. The request for all documents signals that key figures within FIFA's governance structure have not been given complete visibility into the terms, structure, or implications of the plan.
The World Cup is FIFA's most valuable commercial asset, and any move to sell equity in the tournament would represent a significant shift in how the organization monetizes and controls its flagship event. Private equity involvement in major sporting properties has become increasingly common, but the prospect of outside investors holding stakes in the World Cup raises questions about long-term control, revenue distribution, and the influence of commercial partners over the competition.
For supporters and national associations, the stakes extend beyond governance. Decisions about the World Cup's ownership structure can affect ticket pricing, broadcast arrangements, sponsorship, and the balance of power between FIFA's leadership and its member associations. Hewitt's demand for documentation reflects a broader concern that such a consequential proposal should not advance without scrutiny from FIFA's own vice-presidents and member bodies.
The report from ESPN indicates that the dispute is playing out behind closed doors at the highest level of the sport. Whether Infantino complies with the request for all documents will be a test of how much internal oversight FIFA's leadership is willing to accept as it considers opening the World Cup to private capital.
Hewitt's dual position gives the demand additional weight. As FA chairwoman, she represents the interests of English football, one of the game's largest and most commercially significant markets. As a FIFA vice-president, she holds a formal role within the organization's governance hierarchy. Her push for disclosure therefore carries both institutional and national-association authority.
The outcome of the standoff remains uncertain. What is clear, according to ESPN's reporting, is that a senior FIFA vice-president is formally seeking full access to the documents behind a proposal that could reshape the financial future of the World Cup.
