Fresh off overseeing a record-breaking $15 billion World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino now finds himself at the center of a very different kind of controversy — one that could reshape who actually controls football’s biggest prize.
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What’s Being Reported
According to The Times, Infantino is exploring a plan to sell private stakes in a new company that would hold full commercial control of FIFA’s flagship competitions, including the World Cup and Club World Cup. Under the proposed structure, FIFA would retain majority ownership, private investors would purchase 20-30% for billions of dollars, and FIFA’s 211 member nations would share the remaining stake — each receiving an allocation worth around $20 million that they could hold or cash out immediately.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Reported Stake for Investors | 20-30% |
| Stake Reserved for Member Nations | 20% |
| Value Per Member Association | ~$20 million |
| Proposed Lead Investor | Josh Kushner |
| Political Link | Discussions involving figures close to the Trump administration |
| Infantino’s Term Ends | 2031 |
| World Cup 2026 Revenue | $15 billion (record) |
UEFA’s Sharp Rebuke
The proposal has already drawn fierce criticism, with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin stating that this crosses a line football’s governing institutions should never cross, adding that the soul and governance of football are not assets to trade and that FIFA does not have the right to sell what belongs to the entire footballing world.
What’s Next
FIFA has confirmed to The Times that discussions with Kushner as a proposed lead investor are ongoing, though no formal deal has been finalized. For official FIFA statements as this develops, fans can check the official FIFA website.
For more World Cup governance news and FIFA updates, check out our FIFA World Cup 2026 section on TechnoSports.
