FIFA Faces Backlash Over World Cup Privatization Plan

The pressure is mounting on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to abandon a plan to privatize the World Cup, which could attract investments worth $20 billion but has faced widespread criticism from soccer’s global governing bodies.

Recently, a senior adviser to Infantino resigned in protest, while the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) expressed “deep concern” over developments surrounding the establishment of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the proposed fund.

The AFC stated, “The AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing serious concerns over FIFA’s proposal to introduce private investment into FIFA’s flagship competitions and the decision-making process around FFE.”

The European football group UEFA and CONCACAF, which represents North American teams including the United States, had already condemned the idea. CONCACAF issued a statement highlighting “deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies.” They also questioned the necessity of outside investment “following the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history.”

Infantino’s secret project, revealed on Tuesday, involves spinning off FIFA’s commercial operations into a new $20 billion FFE subsidiary, with 20% owned by private investors. The core investor is set to be a New York investment firm created by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

FIFA’s recent World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, was highly successful, with record crowds, viewing numbers, and widespread praise for the venues and cities that hosted more than 100 matches over a month-long event. Spain emerged victorious against Argentina, winning 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

Following media reports of Infantino’s project, FIFA defended itself by blaming media inaccuracies and promised a consultation process to ensure informed decision-making among its members.

The crisis within soccer’s governing body deepened when Infantino’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, criticizing the Kushner-backed plan as “a bad deal for football.” Cordeiro, previously unaware of the plan, stated, “I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup,” and urged other senior staff to speak out.

Cordeiro, formerly the U.S. Soccer Federation president, often accompanied Infantino on visits to the White House and participated in the administration’s World Cup task force meetings led by Andrew Guiliani. He made it clear, “I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally.”