FIFA Plans to Sell World Cup Stakes, UEFA Condemns Move as Selling Football's Soul
FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposes creating FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a $20 billion subsidiary to manage World Cup and Club World Cup commercial rights, selling minority stakes to private investors like Joshua Kushner's Thrive Eternal, with JPMorgan advising. The plan, reportedly worth over $4 billion, could expand the World Cup beyond 48 teams and increase tournament frequency. UEFA issued a fiery statement condemning the move, arguing football governance is not a commodity and warning of lost transparency and integrity. The rift highlights a major clash over football's future commercialization.
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Trump Backs FIFA President Infantino Amid Growing Revolt by Soccer Nations
President Donald Trump publicly supported FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Truth Social, warning that removing him would be a 'terrible mistake' and that the World Cup would never be as successful. This support comes as Infantino faces a revolt from several soccer nations, including UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF, over his now-scrapped secret plan to sell a 20% stake in the World Cup to private investors led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump's son-in-law. FIFA apologized for handling the plan but reaffirmed support for Infantino. UEFA has lost confidence in his leadership and plans to boycott FIFA competitions, while AFC and CONCACAF have criticized but not joined the boycott. Trump previously denied discussing the plan with Infantino.
Read sourceSpanish Sports Law Expert Files Complaint Against FIFA President Infantino Over Alleged Misconduct
Miguel Galán, president of the Spanish Association for Transparency and Democracy in Sports, has submitted a 23-page complaint to the FIFA Ethics Committee against FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The complaint alleges three major violations of FIFA's Code of Ethics. First, Infantino is accused of secretly planning to establish a subsidiary, 'FIFA Forward Enterprise,' to sell 20% of World Cup commercial rights to private investors, including Thrive Capital, whose founder is linked to Jared Kushner, raising conflict of interest concerns. Second, the 'FIFA Peace Award' given to Donald Trump in November is criticized for lacking transparency and violating political neutrality, especially after Infantino publicly campaigned for Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Third, a rare red card reversal for US forward Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup, allegedly after Trump called Infantino, is cited as potential abuse of power. UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF have called for an independent investigation.
Read sourceDonald Trump warns Fifa against replacing Gianni Infantino
US President Donald Trump has warned Fifa that removing Gianni Infantino as president would be a 'terrible mistake' and a costly move. Infantino is under fire after his failed plan to sell stakes in the men's World Cup to private investors via a new company, Fifa Forward Enterprise. Uefa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and Concacaf have accused Infantino of 'deception' and held talks about organizing competitions independently. They have urged Fifa to hold an independent review into the scheme and are reportedly giving Infantino a chance to resign before seeking re-election in March. Trump's intervention adds a political dimension to the crisis within world football's governing body.
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FIFA Revolt Escalates as Europe-Led Coalition Explores Rival Tournaments
A major revolt against FIFA President Gianni Infantino is escalating, with over 100 national soccer federations reportedly in talks to launch rival tournaments. The rebellion, led by UEFA (Europe), CONCACAF (North/Central America), and AFC (Asia), follows Infantino's now-defunct plan to sell a 20% stake in the World Cup to private investors for $20 billion. The plan was met with widespread backlash and accusations of a 'profound failure of judgement' and a lack of transparency. In an open letter, the three confederations condemned FIFA's secrecy and called for accountability. UEFA has committed to a boycott of FIFA competitions, while CONCACAF and AFC have joined the condemnation but not the boycott. Infantino's reelection bid in March is now in jeopardy, with several national teams withdrawing their support.
Read sourceFIFA claims concerted effort to oust President Gianni Infantino amid scandal
FIFA has issued a statement alleging a 'concerted and ongoing effort' to undermine and oust President Gianni Infantino. This follows the scrapping of the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which would have allowed private investment in World Cup and Club World Cup operations. The controversy escalated after a Daily Telegraph report claimed UEFA paid a six-figure sum to an alleged lover of Infantino from his time as UEFA secretary general. UEFA confirmed a departure payment and MBA course fees were made to the individual, but did not disclose who authorized it. Infantino strongly denies the allegations. UEFA has also threatened a European boycott of future World Cups. FIFA's statement defends Infantino's 30-year career and democratic mandate, accusing opponents of using 'allegation, insinuation or misinformation' to achieve what they cannot through proper electoral processes.
FIFA says there is 'concerted and ongoing effort' to oust Gianni Infantino as president
FIFA has issued a statement alleging a 'concerted and ongoing effort' to remove President Gianni Infantino, following the scrapped FIFA Forward Enterprise plan that would have allowed private investment in World Cup and Club World Cup commercial operations. The controversy escalated after a Daily Telegraph report claimed UEFA paid a six-figure sum to an alleged lover of Infantino from his time as UEFA secretary general. UEFA confirmed a departure payment and MBA course fees were made but did not name the individual. Infantino 'strongly denies' the allegations. UEFA has also reiterated its threat of a European World Cup boycott, citing lost confidence in FIFA's leadership. FIFA's statement defends Infantino's 30-year career and democratic mandate, accusing opponents of using 'allegation, insinuation or misinformation' to undermine him.
FIFA claims concerted effort to oust President Gianni Infantino amid scandal and investment plan fallout
FIFA has issued a statement alleging a 'concerted and ongoing effort' to remove President Gianni Infantino, following the scrapping of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan that would have opened World Cup and Club World Cup commercial operations to private investment. The controversy escalated after a Daily Telegraph report claimed UEFA paid a six-figure sum to an alleged lover of Infantino from his time as UEFA secretary general. UEFA confirmed the payment but said regulations have since been tightened. Infantino strongly denies the allegations. UEFA has maintained its threat of a European boycott of future World Cups, and Concacaf has also criticized Infantino's leadership. FIFA's statement defends Infantino's 30-year career and warns against efforts to undermine his democratic mandate.
Read sourceFIFA executive Arsene Wenger backs decision to drop Gianni Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan
FIFA executive Arsène Wenger publicly supported the decision to withdraw Gianni Infantino's $20 billion proposal to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors. Wenger stated he was not involved in the plan and learned of it through media reports, emphasizing the need for an independent FIFA with transparency and integrity. His statement followed a letter from UEFA's lawyers to Infantino threatening legal action, which named Wenger among 18 executives whose data and communications should be retained as potential evidence. Infantino withdrew the proposal on August 1, 2026, after a fierce backlash from global soccer officials, including UEFA's warning of a boycott of all FIFA games and events.
Read sourceUEFA Threatens FIFA with Legal Action Over Failed World Cup Stake Sale Plan
European football body UEFA has threatened FIFA with legal action over a failed plan by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private investors. The plan, which would have raised $4.2 billion from investors including a firm linked to Joshua Kushner, was dropped after a global furor. UEFA's lawyers sent a letter to FIFA demanding that 18 executives, including Infantino, CFO Thomas Peyer, and Arsène Wenger, preserve data and documents as potential evidence. UEFA is also actively seeking an alternative candidate to challenge Infantino in the upcoming FIFA presidential election, accusing him of losing the confidence of world soccer. The proposal, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise, would have given member federations one-off payments but was widely criticized as incompatible with proper governance.
Read sourceInfantino abandons plan to sell World Cup profits to private equity after global backlash
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has abandoned a controversial proposal to sell World Cup profits to private equity, including a plan to create a $20 billion company with investors such as the Kushner family. The decision followed massive pushback from soccer bodies worldwide. UEFA's 55 member nations agreed to boycott the World Cup and all FIFA competitions over the plan. North America's CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation also opposed it. Infantino's senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker who sat on a White House panel for the World Cup, resigned and urged other FIFA staff to speak out. In a statement, Infantino acknowledged the proposal created divisions and said it would not proceed. UEFA declared that the World Cup 'belongs to football' and 'will never be for sale.'
Read sourceInfantino Praises FIFA Officials for World Cup Sell-Off Plan He Hid From Them
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing internal fury after keeping his World Cup sell-off plan secret from many senior FIFA officials, including Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour and head of football development Arsène Wenger. The plan, which involves selling stakes in the tournament to private investors, was developed over several months by a small clique led by Dan O'Toole, director of FIFA's executive office, and junior staff. After The Times revealed the plan, Infantino attempted to salvage it by writing to FIFA Council members, thanking the administration for their 'great work' on the proposal, despite many being unaware of it. The secrecy has sparked outrage among FIFA staff who were kept in the dark.
Mexico Breaks Ranks, Dents UEFA-Led Bid to Oust FIFA President Infantino
Mexico's football association has broken ranks with its regional confederation CONCACAF and delivered a blow to UEFA-led efforts to oust FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Infantino faces rebellion from European, Asian, and CONCACAF confederations over his secret plan to effectively privatize the World Cup by selling a subsidiary's shares to private investors, including allies of Donald Trump. Mexico, a co-host of the 2026 World Cup, declared it will not recognize any process outside FIFA's institutional framework and supports Infantino's leadership. This move strengthens Infantino's position, as Africa and South America already back him. The opposition bloc (UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF) controls 136 of 211 votes, enough to block Infantino's third term, but defections like Mexico's and some Asian nations reduce their chances of forcing a no-confidence vote or fielding a challenger in the next presidential election.
Mexico Breaks Ranks, Dents Uefa-Led Bid to Oust Embattled FIFA President Infantino
Mexico's football association has broken ranks with its regional confederation (Concacaf) and other Uefa-led opponents, delivering a blow to efforts to oust FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Infantino faces rebellion from European, Asian, and Caribbean, Central and North American confederations over his secret plan to privatize World Cup commercial rights by selling shares in a FIFA subsidiary to private investors, including allies of Donald Trump. However, Mexico, a co-host of the 2026 World Cup, declared support for Infantino, citing respect for institutional processes. This strengthens Infantino's position, as Africa and South America already back him. The opposition bloc (Uefa, AFC, Concacaf) controls 136 of 211 votes, enough to block Infantino's re-election, but defections like Mexico's and some Asian nations (Qatar, Kuwait) undermine their unity. Infantino has apologized for secrecy but refuses to resign.
FIFA Apologizes for World Cup Privatization Proposal Backlash, Backs President Infantino
FIFA has issued an apology for its handling of a controversial proposal to involve private investors in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup. The proposal, which sparked significant backlash, aimed to bring private capital into the tournament's revenue streams. Despite the controversy, FIFA's leadership has reaffirmed its support for President Gianni Infantino, signaling confidence in his leadership amid the fallout. The apology and backing come as FIFA navigates criticism over governance and financial transparency. The article, published by The Hindu on August 7, 2026, highlights the internal and external pressures on the organization following the privatization plan, which was seen by critics as a threat to the World Cup's integrity and independence. The reaffirmation of Infantino's position suggests a consolidation of power within FIFA's executive structure.
Read sourceFIFPRO: FIFA's Withdrawal of Proposal Inevitable, Governance Reform Urgently Needed
The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) issued a statement on August 7, criticizing FIFA's governance and calling for urgent reforms. FIFPRO asserts that FIFA's withdrawal of the 'Forward enterprise' proposal was inevitable but does not erase the underlying abuse of power. The statement details that the plan to change World Cup ownership and governance was developed in secrecy, bypassing the FIFA Council, member associations, and players. FIFPRO condemns FIFA's internal communication from the Rabat meeting as a cover-up, downplaying a fundamental governance failure. FIFPRO demands structural safeguards, including embedding a global social dialogue platform in FIFA's governance, legally binding consultation with professional football stakeholders, voting rights for stakeholders on the FIFA Council, and reforms to prevent unilateral decision-making. FIFPRO has sent a letter co-signed by its president and regional presidents to FIFA, emphasizing that trust must be earned through action, not declarations.
Read sourceCONMEBOL Welcomes Infantino's Withdrawal of FIFA Forward Enterprise Proposal
On August 7, 2024, CONMEBOL issued a statement welcoming FIFA President Gianni Infantino's decision to withdraw the 'FIFA Forward Enterprise Plan' proposal. The CONMEBOL Council expressed unanimous concern over recent unilateral actions that bypassed dialogue and established institutional mechanisms. The statement emphasized that football's governance must be built on respect for institutions, transparency, and democratic processes representing FIFA's 211 member associations. CONMEBOL noted that November 18, 2026, is the deadline for FIFA presidency candidacies, after which the Congress will elect the next leader, including for the 2030 FIFA Centennial World Cup. CONMEBOL declared it will not support any actions that ignore these institutional mechanisms and called for unity, dialogue, and full respect for governance frameworks, concluding that 'Football comes first.'
Read sourceInfantino Admits Mistakes but Refuses to Resign; UEFA Maintains World Cup Boycott Threat
FIFA President Gianni Infantino admitted mistakes regarding a failed investor deal to sell World Cup rights but refused to resign, receiving backing from FIFA's leadership. UEFA, however, maintained its threat to boycott World Cup and other FIFA competitions, stating that trust in Infantino is lost and conditions for withdrawing the boycott have not been met. The crisis erupted after Infantino abandoned the investor plan following widespread criticism from UEFA, North and Central America, and Asia. Infantino and FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström sent a letter to FIFA vice-presidents and Council members, apologizing for the process but also threatening legal action against attacks on FIFA's integrity. UEFA reiterated that the proposals must be withdrawn and assurances given that such attempts will not be repeated.
Read sourceFIFA Emergency Meeting: Infantino Retains Support from Asia and Africa Amid Controversy
On August 6, 2024, FIFA held an emergency meeting in Rabat, Morocco, where top officials reaffirmed support for President Gianni Infantino and apologized for a controversial plan to sell 20% of World Cup commercial rights to private investors, which was withdrawn after strong opposition. The plan, linked to a company associated with Donald Trump's family, sparked internal dissent, with Secretary General Mattias Grafström and COO Kevin Lamour expressing regret and stating employees were 'deceived.' UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation have criticized Infantino, while European Leagues opposed a proposed 2030 World Cup expansion. Despite this, Infantino retains backing from many African and Asian football associations, including Qatar, Kuwait, and Morocco, and faces no strong challengers for re-election in March 2025. Morocco, a 2030 World Cup co-host, is reportedly seeking the final in exchange for support, which FIFA denies.
Read sourceGianni Infantino fights on as FIFA president after leadership backing
FIFA President Gianni Infantino secured a show of support from the organization's management board during a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, despite the collapse of his secret plan to sell a stake in the World Cup. The board, including General Secretary Mattias Grafstrom who had previously criticized the scheme, signed a statement reaffirming 'full support' for Infantino. However, several key executives were absent, including Arsene Wenger, Jill Ellis, and COO Kevin Lamour, who had accused Infantino of deceiving staff. The meeting came after a tumultuous week in which Infantino was forced to abandon the plan, UEFA threatened legal action, and the English FA withdrew support. The article analyzes Infantino's survival tactics and the fractured state of FIFA's leadership.
Read sourceFIFA backs Infantino, apologises for World Cup privatisation plan
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has received the full support of senior directors after a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco, following the controversial and now-shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment. The proposal, which would have created a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise valued at $20 billion, was abandoned last Saturday after a furious backlash, including a threat from UEFA to boycott the World Cup. FIFA's leadership acknowledged errors in handling the proposal and its leak to media, issuing an apology to the FIFA Council and member associations. Despite growing calls for Infantino to step down, the management board reaffirmed its support for him as the only official elected by the 211 member associations. A review of the process will be conducted and presented at the next FIFA Council meeting.
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