NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman has thrown her weight behind Concacaf’s firm rejection of FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal to hand over control of the World Cup to a private venture, arguing that the move threatens the future of women’s soccer.
Infantino’s Ambitious Privatization Scheme
Infantino’s vision, championed by his affiliate Thrive Eternal and venture‑capitalist Joshua Kushner, called for a $4 billion sale of a 20 percent stake in FIFA through a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise. The plan would have turned the tournament into a commercial asset for investors, a notion that quickly unraveled under pressure from global football’s governing bodies.
Within days, UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC voiced their opposition, forcing Infantino to backtrack. The episode has left the Swiss‑born chief facing a growing chorus of calls for his resignation, with several potential challengers eyeing the March elections that will determine his successor.
Women’s Soccer as a Strategic Priority
Berman, speaking on the sidelines of a recent NWSL event, stressed that the women’s game has long been starved of resources and that the league’s expansion — exemplified by the 2023 enlargement of the Women’s World Cup to 32 teams — must be matched by sustained investment.
According to Berman, the under‑funding of women’s competitions is not just a moral issue but a strategic one; greater capital is needed to develop talent in regions where the sport remains nascent. The inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup, won by Gotham FC in 2025, illustrates both the appetite and the gaps that still exist.
The NWSL also contends with a packed international calendar. A planned pause next season to accommodate the Women’s World Cup in Brazil will disrupt the league’s rhythm, while the Summer of Soccer campaign has already delivered a three‑fold surge in social‑media impressions, underscoring rising fan engagement.
A New Era on the Horizon
Looking ahead, the league plans to kick off the 2027 season in Los Angeles, a move timed to coincide with the Super Bowl and designed to maximize visibility. Coordinating with MLS, which is shifting to a fall schedule, will be essential to avoid fixture congestion and to preserve a balanced international match calendar that fuels both player development and supporter interest.