FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on July 31 that he had scrapped plans to invite private investors, led by Joshua Kushner, to buy stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA events. The decision came amid strong opposition, including threats from European nations to boycott FIFA tournaments and allegations from senior officials that he had misled people.
In a statement, Infantino said the project had "created division to such an extent that, regardless of the level of support, it no longer served the original purpose." Just two weeks earlier, images of him seated beside US President Donald Trump at the 2026 World Cup final had been seen as proof of his "king of football" status.
The Controversial Plan
Under the proposal, FIFA would have created a subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to manage revenue-generating activities such as organizing the World Cup, selling broadcast rights, sponsorships, tickets, and hospitality services. FIFA planned to raise $4.2 billion by selling about 20% of shares, based on a $20 billion valuation. The anchor investor was to be Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner, brother-in-law of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Each of the 211 member federations was offered $20 million if they agreed, with a deadline of September 19. FIFA said this amount could rise to $22 million per four-year cycle by 2034 and $24 million by 2038, double the current $10 million. For small federations like Andorra, Montserrat, or Papua New Guinea, this was a significant sum, but it meant little to football powerhouses such as England, Spain, or France.
Fierce Backlash
UEFA, Europe's football governing body, announced it would boycott all FIFA tournaments until the plan was dropped. Asian and North American confederations, the UK Prime Minister, the global leagues group, and countless fans also voiced opposition. Many feared private investors would push for more matches, threatening the balance of global football and competing with club competitions like the Champions League.
Infantino's senior advisor, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned and called it a bad deal. Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour accused the leadership of "misleading" staff about the plan. Even President Trump said he had never discussed the World Cup stake sale with Infantino.
Uncertain Future
Infantino had received letters of support for re-election from about 200 of 211 member federations, but after this episode, that support has become unpredictable. The African Football Confederation with its 54 members remains neutral, while CONMEBOL (South America) said it would consider the proposal "seriously."
The filing deadline for FIFA presidential candidates is November 18, four months before the expected vote in Rabat, Morocco. Infantino, 56, was re-elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023. Under FIFA statutes, he could serve one more four-year term.
Potential candidates mentioned include PSG President Nasser al-Khelaïfi, FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani, and AFC President Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who narrowly lost to Infantino in 2016. Observers say challenges once dismissed as fanciful now seem more viable than ever.
