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FIFA operations director Kevin Lamour says staff were deceived by Gianni Infantino's plan to sell World Cup revenue stakes, urging the project be dropped. Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, calling the proposed $20 billion subsidiary a bad deal for football.
FIFA is considering expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams starting in 2030, the centenary edition of the tournament. The governing body plans to commission an independent study to assess the impact of the potential expansion, which has faced opposition from European and Asian football confederations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell minority stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors has triggered global opposition. UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA events, while CONCACAF and AFC have also rejected the proposal, leaving FIFA without any public backing.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has expressed solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing FIFA's plan to sell World Cup equity to private investors, without threatening a boycott. The AFC voiced deep concerns about the proposed $20 billion commercial entity and called for institutional reform within FIFA.
Carlos Cordeiro, senior adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, resigned with immediate effect on Friday (September 13) to protest a proposal to sell equity in FIFA-run tournaments, calling it a 'bad deal for football.' The plan would create a $20 billion subsidiary to run the World Cup, with up to 20% of shares offered to outside investors.
FIFA has reaffirmed its commitment to consulting on plans to bring private capital into the World Cup and other tournaments, despite UEFA's unanimous vote to boycott and strong opposition from other regional confederations. The proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) would be a $20 billion subsidiary with 20% external investment, led by a fund managed by Joshua Kushner.
FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina players for assaulting Spanish opponents after the World Cup final, and against the Argentine FA for a political banner about the Falkland Islands displayed after the semi-final. The charges also include discriminatory fan behavior, an assistant coach's alleged assault, and object-throwing incidents.
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has denounced plans to create a $20 billion subsidiary for the World Cup and sell equity to outside investors, arguing it transforms the tournament into a commercial product and strips football of its soul. He said FIFA is the guardian of the World Cup, not its owner.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has set a September 19 deadline for member associations to accept a $20 million financial package tied to a plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors, backed by Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital. The proposal, which aims to establish a $20 billion FIFA subsidiary, has drawn strong opposition from UEFA and other confederations.
