FIFA president Gianni Infantino abandoned a plan to sell a 20% stake in future World Cup and FIFA event profits after a wave of opposition from soccer’s governing bodies, executives and fans.
The Deal That Unraveled
The proposal, championed by investor Joshua Kushner and housed under a new subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise, was designed to raise $4.2 billion by offering member federations a doubled allocation that would grow through 2038.
European soccer’s elite, led by UEFA and the continental federations, threatened to boycott FIFA competitions unless the deal was withdrawn, arguing that private investors would demand more matches and upset the sport’s global balance.
FIFA’s own leadership felt the pressure: senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, calling the arrangement a misstep, while COO Kevin Lamour issued a public criticism to the Associated Press, and CONMEBOL, under vice‑president Alejandro Dominguez, said it would evaluate the scheme only after rigorous scrutiny.
The backlash also reached the political arena, with national leaders and league officials voicing concerns, and a November 18 deadline loomed for candidates to declare their intent in the upcoming presidential election in Rabat, Morocco.
Although UEFA’s resistance succeeded in halting the sell‑off, the episode left Infantino increasingly isolated and raised questions about whether the episode would restore his credibility ahead of the vote.