European football’s governing body, UEFA, has issued a stark warning to FIFA, signalling that it may pursue legal action over a secretive plan to monetize future World Cup profits. The proposal, which would have handed FIFA a $20 billion windfall and doubled development funding, was quietly shelved after a wave of criticism from member associations and the wider football community.
At the heart of the scheme was a New York‑based investment vehicle linked to Joshua Kushner, which sought to acquire a $4.2 billion stake in the rights to future tournaments. The arrangement, dubbed the FFE spin‑off, would have placed control of FIFA’s commercial and tournament operations through at least 2038 in the hands of a private consortium.
The backlash was swift. Media exposés, notably those published by The Times of London, sparked outrage across the globe, prompting UEFA’s 55 member federations to announce a boycott of all FIFA events while the proposal remained active. The move underscored deep concerns about governance and transparency within world football’s governing body.
Legal pressure mounted when Dechert LLP, acting on behalf of UEFA, sent a letter to FIFA executives urging the preservation of evidence related to the deal. Andrew J. Levander, UEFA’s legal counsel, later indicated that legal proceedings were "reasonably anticipated" given the governance irregularities surrounding the plan.
The fallout extended beyond Europe. The Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF publicly opposed Infantino’s initiative, while CONMEBOL’s Alejandro Domínguez voiced support only insofar as it promised expanded participation in a 2030 World Cup hosted by Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Morocco, Spain and Portugal also expressed reservations, reflecting a fragmented response.
Infantino’s attempts to secure political backing added another layer of complexity. Reports suggested he sought assistance from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, even arranging a potential conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The U.S. State Department later denied any such call took place, leaving the alleged outreach unverified.
The proposal’s collapse marked a turning point for Infantino, who had been expected to run unopposed for a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2025. With his political capital eroding, UEFA announced it would actively seek an alternative candidate, citing a loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership after a decade at the helm.
FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, described the scheme as the work of a single individual and expressed disappointment that staff had been kept in the dark. The organization also acknowledged that it had gathered support letters from roughly 200 of its 211 member federations, many of which have since withdrawn their endorsement, notably the Welsh Football Federation, which was the first to reverse its stance.
As the March election approaches, the landscape of FIFA’s leadership remains uncertain. The next presidential vote is slated for November 18, with a candidate registration deadline set for November 18. Meanwhile, the search for a new president continues, as does the investigation into the legal ramifications of the abandoned private‑equity deal.