Infantino Abandons Plan to Sell World Cup Stakes After Global Backlash

FIFA president Gianni Infantino had outlined a plan to spin off the organization’s commercial assets—including the men’s and women’s World Cups and Club World Cups—into a new subsidiary valued at roughly $20 billion. The structure would have allocated 20 % of the subsidiary to private investors, with the “anchor investor” identified as a New York-based investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner.

ESPN

The proposal triggered immediate resistance within FIFA’s own hierarchy. Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker who served on the White House World Cup task force, resigned, stating he could not stand by a sale of the tournament’s stake. Chief operating officer Kevin Lamour warned that staff felt “deceived” by the lack of openness surrounding the scheme and pledged to defend his colleagues, even at personal risk. A second senior adviser also stepped down, citing concerns that the plan misled employees.

ESPN

Beyond internal dissent, the Confederation of European Football (UEFA) condemned the move as “a profound failure of leadership” and announced a coordinated boycott of FIFA competitions by European nations. The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) issued similar statements of opposition.

ESPN

After reviewing the widespread criticism, Infantino announced that the proposal would not proceed.

ESPN

• “I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup,” — Getty Images Carlos Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker

ESPN

• “ "This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA's duty as the custodian of world football," UEFA said.” — UEFA

ESPN

• “Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support," Infantino added in his statement Friday.” — Gianni Infantino, reactions FIFA president

ESPN

The episode underscores the sensitivity of football’s flagship events and the limits of commercializing assets that many view as the sport’s collective heritage.

ESPN