FIFA Adviser Resigns Over Private-Equity Plan for World Cup

Senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro announced his resignation on Friday, citing opposition to the governing body’s plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private-equity investors. Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker and ex-president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, said he could not remain silent while FIFA considered the proposal.

Associated Press

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed spinning off the organization’s commercial operations—including the men’s and women’s World Cups and Club World Cups—into a new subsidiary valued at roughly $20 billion. Private investors would own 20 % of the entity, with the “anchor investor” identified as a New York-based firm founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of former White House adviser Jared Kushner. European football associations have announced boycotts of FIFA competitions in protest, and the North American federation has also rejected the plan.

Associated Press

Cordeiro highlighted that FIFA has generated $15 billion in revenue from the men’s World Cup over the past four tournaments and maintains “extraordinary financial resources,” including billions in reserves and no debt. He argued that raising $4.2 billion by selling a permanent stake in the tournament would “mortgage football’s future” without clear justification.

Associated Press

In his resignation letter, Cordeiro emphasized that he had no involvement in the proposal and opposed it “unequivocally,” urging other senior staff to speak out. He framed the decision as a matter of protecting the sport’s long-term interests rather than allowing profit-driven entities to dictate its direction. Infantino, who has led FIFA for more than a decade, has not publicly rebutted Cordeiro’s remarks but has set a Nov. 18 deadline for any challengers to the upcoming election.

Associated Press

• “I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup,” — Carlos Cordeiro, senior FIFA adviser “I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup,” — Carlos Cordeiro, senior FIFA adviser

Associated Press

• “FIFA already has access to extraordinary financial resources. The organization sits on billions of dollars in reserves and no debt,” — Carlos Cordeiro, senior FIFA adviser “FIFA already has access to extraordinary financial resources. The organization sits on billions of dollars in reserves and no debt,” — Carlos Cordeiro, senior FIFA adviser

Associated Press