Nations League
Infantino backs off World Cup stake plan after global outcry
On 1 August 2026, FIFA president Gianni Infantino issued a new statement after his proposal to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup was publicly ripped to shreds. The announcement came just hours after the plan was condemned by football authorities, and it was reported by Whiley Sports Writer10:34. ImagesGianni Infantino appears in the accompanying photo.
The controversial FIFA chief had earlier outlined a new body called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to run FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. The initiative was presented as a way to modernise governance and generate additional revenue for the sport.
The most contentious element of the FFE proposal was the intention to sell the 20 per cent stake to private investors. Thrive Eternal, a company founded by Joshua Kushner – the brother of Donald Trump’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner – was named as the lead investor in the scheme.
The reaction was swift and severe. All 55 UEFA member associations vowed to boycott the World Cup, while the Asian Confederation and CONCACAF also denounced the plan. The outcry spread across the US and ON the broader football community, highlighting the depth of opposition.
On Saturday morning the Swiss administrator turned to Instagram, posting a picture of himself shaking hands with a fan. The caption read: “The FIFA World Cup 2026 brought together more people, more cultures and more communities than ever before, showing the true power of the beautiful game.” The post, credited to Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire, included the hashtag #FootballUnitesTheWorld, attracted a few thousand likes and had comments disabled.
UEFA threatens FIFA boycott over World Cup stake sale
In a separate Saturday statement Infantino explained that the FIFA Forward Enterprise project was meant to strengthen Member Associations, especially in countries where support is most needed. He added that the proposal required majority backing from FIFA Member Associations, the FIFA Council, Confederations and wider stakeholders, but that “the project has created divisions … and will not proceed.”
With his power base severely weakened, Infantino – who is up for re‑election next year – now faces the prospect of a strong leadership challenge within FIFA.