New Low For FIFA? Gianni Infantino Wants To Sell World Cup 'Stakes' To Donald Trump Aides

Published 28 July 2026 · sports

New Low For FIFA? Gianni Infantino Wants To Sell World Cup 'Stakes' To Donald Trump Aides Published By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026, 23:01 IST

New Low For FIFA? Gianni Infantino Wants To Sell World Cup 'Stakes' To Donald Trump Aides Published By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026, 23:01 IST FIFA plans to sell stakes in World Cup commercial operations via a new company, which will make its president Gianni Infantino richer by millions of dollars. FIFA President Gianni Infantino (AP) FIFA president Gianni Infantino is reportedly planning to sell minority stakes in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup and other major tournaments through a new company, which would immensely benefit the Swiss-Italian administrator. According to The Times, FIFA intends to create a semi-private company that would control the commercial rights of the men’s and women’s World Cups, the Club World Cup and other competitions, while FIFA itself would retain a majority stake. Discussions have reportedly begun with potential investors, including Thrive Capital founder Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and an arm of investment bank JP Morgan Chase.

The report further claimed that Infantino could become commissioner of the new company after his expected final term as FIFA president ends in 2031, with a salary potentially comparable to that of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, reported to be around $64 million (approx INRe 612 crore) annually. The report added that each of FIFA’s 211 member associations and the selected private investors would receive stakes in the company. FIFA confirms proposal Responding to the report, FIFA confirmed plans to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a subsidiary through which it aims to raise $4.2 billion (approx INR 40,261 crore) by selling minority, non-controlling interests to long-term investors. The governing body said it would retain sole control over football governance, competitions, the international calendar and all sporting and regulatory decisions despite bringing in outside investment.

FIFA also said each of its 211 member associations would be offered a one-time opportunity to acquire a stake in FFE. FIFA added that the initiative could increase football development funding to more than $10 billion (approx 1000 crore) over the next four years. UEFA launches scathing attack UEFA, the European football administrative body, responded with a strongly worded statement, accusing FIFA of crossing a line by seeking private investment in the commercial rights of its flagship competitions. “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every national football association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game. “The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.