FIFA’s now diving headfirst into Web3 — it’s launching its own blockchain. FIFA Blockchain. Sounds impressive, right? Especially after ditching Algorand. They promise improved scalability, improved cross-chain performance, and a more extensive digital ecosystem. The pitch? A more profound relationship with their supporters, especially the millennial, global and digital-first fans. Let’s get real, is this really about us, or is this about filling FIFA’s already deep pockets even more?
Control, Control, And More Control
Think about it. FIFA creating its own blockchain! They’re moving all the NFTs over from FIFA Collect, hooking up to MetaMask, and even launching a new game FIFA Rivals that’s based on blockchain technology. All this gives them unprecedented control. Power to dictate their own transaction fees, set technological partnerships, and chart the future course of their digital assets. That's a LOT of power concentrated in one organization, one that hasn't exactly been a beacon of ethical behavior in the past.
Look, I get it. Businesses need to evolve. They need to find new revenue streams. When an organization with FIFA's history steps into a relatively new space like Web3, alarm bells should be ringing. This debate isn’t merely about digital collectibles, though this is about data, about influence, and about controlling the narrative. Remember the Qatar World Cup controversies? Now picture that same level of unwarranted control made even more perniciously into the cyberspace.
Is that really what this is about — improving the fan experience? Or is it simply about creating a guaranteed, dependent audience inside a FIFA-run garden?
The Royalties Question: South Asia Impact
Let's talk royalties. As someone who’s been at the center of this conversation, I’ve come to learn the complexities around NFT royalties. FIFA’s unilateral control and authority over its own blockchain allows it to continue overriding the royalty structure. How much of a percentage will creators receive on secondary sales? Will they be transparent about it? What about the smaller artists, particularly those from developing regions such as South Asia, whose voices will be drowned out? Or will FIFA’s overwhelming power force them out?
Consider the thousands of young, aspiring digital artists in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. NFTs provided them an opportunity to access a worldwide market, to make a living from their artistic expression. If FIFA is the one calling the shots, what’s to stop them from favoring the known quantities and known markets? This congressionally mandated move would kill competition, curtail creativity and hinder the spark of innovation in the cities FIFA purports to be reaching out to.
I’ve experienced personally the ways that NFT royalties give artists more power and control. Data shows that even a small percentage of royalties on secondary sales can provide a significant income stream, allowing creators to invest in their craft and build sustainable careers. This is only effective if the system is equitable, transparent, and allows access to all involved.
Here's a table to show the comparison between different NFT marketplaces and royalties:
| Marketplace | Royalty Percentage | Control |
|---|---|---|
| OpenSea | Creator Defined | Limited |
| FIFA Blockchain | FIFA Defined | High |
| Rarible | Creator Defined | Limited |
The question is, will FIFA use its control to empower creators or to maximize its own profits?
Web3's Future or Corporate Enclosure?
FIFA’s play touches on a bigger question at the heart of the future of Web3. Will this innovation space continue to be decentralized, open, and permissionless, inviting anyone with an idea or interest to engage and participate? Or will it evolve into an environment dominated by big companies, who create closed ecosystems that monetize their end-users.
We all know Web3’s potential to upend existing power structures. It democratizes power, joining and empowering people and creating new cooperative ecosystems of ownership and governance. Countless other giants—like FIFA, for example—are entering the blockchain normie space with their own self-serving agendas. This poses a significant threat of centralization and corporate control.
This isn't just about FIFA. We’re talking more about the larger narrative of corporations rushing to Web3. Are they really committed to building a better internet? Or do they simply want to find new ways to monetize all our data and control our digital futures? We have to be vigilant, we have to be wary, and we have to get real about transparency and accountability.
FIFA's move into Web3 could be a positive step, but only if it's done responsibly and ethically. It's up to us, the fans, the creators, and the Web3 community, to hold them accountable and ensure that this isn't just another corporate cash grab. We can’t afford to let FIFA score an own goal on the future of the internet. This is for us, the public, to collectively shape the future of Web3, not for big tech companies to hold behind their corporate walls.
- Ask Questions: Demand transparency from FIFA about its royalty policies and its plans for supporting smaller creators.
- Support Decentralized Alternatives: Explore and support Web3 projects that prioritize decentralization, openness, and community governance.
- Stay Informed: Educate yourself about the risks and opportunities of Web3, and be wary of hype and marketing spin.
FIFA's move into Web3 could be a positive step, but only if it's done responsibly and ethically. It's up to us, the fans, the creators, and the Web3 community, to hold them accountable and ensure that this isn't just another corporate cash grab. Let's not let FIFA score an own goal on the future of the internet. This is for us, the people, to build the future of Web3, not for corporations to gatekeep.
