A Sudden Exit
The resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, the senior adviser to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has sent shockwaves through the world of football governance.
Cordeiro stepped down after publicly denouncing the plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, describing the proposal as a bad deal for FIFA’s member associations, the sport itself, and its long‑term future.
Speaking at a meeting of the governing bodies, he warned that the lack of transparency surrounding the transaction raised serious questions about the motives behind the sale.
Financial Arguments
The scheme, which would see a fifth of the newly created entity FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE) placed on the market for $4.2 billion, is being led by the investment group Thrive Eternal.
Cordeiro, who was appointed to the advisory role in September 2021, argued that FIFA already possesses extraordinary financial resources, making the sale appear unnecessary.
Reactions from Europe
European football’s power brokers have not stayed silent. UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have openly opposed the plan, with UEFA even threatening to boycott the World Cup if the sale proceeds.
Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) echoed the concerns, questioning Infantino’s leadership and the governance model that permits such a transaction.
While FIFA insists it is not selling football and will move forward with the initiative, the growing backlash highlights a deepening divide between the governing body and its continental partners.