FIFA President Gianni Infantino contacted the Trump administration after his proposal to sell roughly a 20% stake in a new entity that would control World Cup competition rights was abandoned, a move that had drawn intense criticism from football’s governing bodies and the media.
The abandoned deal
The scheme, backed by Thrive Capital and anchored by a consortium that included Joshua Kushner, aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion by offloading a minority share of the tournament’s commercial assets. The plan collapsed under pressure from stakeholders who questioned the valuation and the governance implications of privatising such a core piece of football’s revenue stream.
Infantino’s attempts to secure the deal left him feeling isolated as the backlash grew. He repeatedly tried to reach Donald Trump by phone in the days following the proposal’s collapse, hoping for political cover that might blunt the criticism.
Political ties and unmet expectations
The close relationship between Infantino and Donald Trump was on display at several high‑profile events, most recently the 2023 World Cup co‑hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. In December 2025, Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, the first recipient of the award, underscoring the personal rapport that had developed between the two figures.
Despite a scheduled private meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the encounter never materialised. U.S. Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson confirmed that the talks were cancelled, leaving Infantino without the official channel he had hoped to use to navigate the fallout.
The episode has intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s bid for a second term that runs until 2031. Critics argue that the failed commercial overhaul reflects a broader governance challenge, while supporters point to the president’s ability to navigate complex political landscapes, including his connections to the Trump administration.