When Gianni Infantino first floated the idea of selling a 20 % stake in the World Cup to private investors, the proposal was kept under wraps, known only to a handful of insiders. The secret plan, hatched within the halls of FIFA’s Zurich headquarters, promised a share of the tournament’s enormous revenue to investors while dangling cash incentives for member associations that backed the scheme.
More than 200 of FIFA’s 211 member associations had initially signaled support for Infantino’s bid for a fourth term, but the tide turned dramatically once the details leaked to the press. The ensuing backlash saw a cascade of resignations, public denunciations and a rapid erosion of the confidence that had once seemed unshakable.
The financial engine behind the scheme was the FIFA Forward Enterprise, which aimed to raise $4.2 billion by carving up World Cup rights. Under the proposal, countries that endorsed the plan would receive $20 million, while others would get only a fraction, a disparity that fueled accusations of favoritism.
A Plan That Divided the Game
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Javier Tebas, president of Spain’s Soccer Association, were among the most vocal critics, demanding Infantino’s immediate resignation. Their statements underscored a growing sentiment that the sport belongs to fans, not to investors seeking profit.
Close confidants, including Carlos Cordeiro and Kevin Lamour, distanced themselves from Infantino after the plan’s exposure, while Bernd Neuendorf, president of the German Soccer Association, expressed surprise and annoyance at learning of the scheme from the media.
FIFA issued a statement in Infantino’s name acknowledging that the project had created divisions and was no longer in the organization’s interest, effectively shelving the initiative before it could be formalized.
Political and Institutional Fallout
Jared Kushner, a senior adviser to former President Donald Trump, reportedly phoned Infantino three times to lobby for the overturning of a red‑card suspension for U.S. forward Folarin Balogun ahead of a World Cup elimination match. FIFA ultimately cleared Balogun to play, marking only the second time in tournament history that a red‑card ban has been lifted.
Steven A. Bank, a longtime FIFA executive, has been cited as a behind‑the‑scenes broker who helped facilitate the controversial financing arrangement, while Alan Rothenberg, a former U.S. Soccer president, warned that private‑equity stakes in major sporting events are not unprecedented but criticized the manner in which the proposal was executed.
Vladimir Putin’s administration had previously been celebrated for securing the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and Infantino’s decision to award the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia further fueled accusations of cozy relationships with autocrats.
The Asian Football Confederation joined UEFA and CONCACAF in issuing a joint statement that condemned the proposal, reinforcing a global consensus that the World Cup must remain a public good rather than a private investment vehicle.
The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co‑hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. The tournament already boasts a live‑attendance figure of over 6.8 million fans and a global television audience exceeding six billion, making any disruption all the more consequential. As allies describe the standoff as a ‘fight to the death,’ Infantino’s presidency now sits in critical condition.