Gianni Infantino and FIFA are reportedly in talks to sell a stake in the World Cup as part of an alleged plot to cash in to private investors following talks with Donald Trump
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is seemingly on a collision cause to make himself more hated than Leandro Paredes with him reportedly plotting to sell a £15billion minority stake in the World Cup.
According to The Times, FIFA is actively engaged in discussions with JP Morgan to raise billions by selling approximately 20% ownership of the World Cup to private investors. The plot thickens with tech mogul Joshua Kushner – whose elder brother Jared Kushner is married to President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump – reportedly being in negotiations to lead the deal through his Thrive Eternal fund.
The sale would represent the latest attempt by Infantino to generate additional income for FIFA. Funds raised from the transaction would be deployed by the non-profit organisation to distribute more money to its national member associations, one source claimed. Currently, the 211 members each pocket around £2million annually from FIFA.
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Upon learning of FIFA’s intentions to sell a minority stake, UEFA swiftly condemned the sale while emphasising that the organisation lacked the authority to execute such a transaction.
“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously,” an official statement declared. “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. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
Thanks to the 2026 World Cup, FIFA is on track to deliver at least £9.7billion in revenue over its current four-year cycle. The quadrennial tournament boosted the governing body’s revenues from £5.7billion in the previous cycle, with the next cycle anticipated to generate a minimum of £10.5 billion.
Posting on Instagram on Sunday, Infantino lauded FIFA’s efforts in staging this year’s World Cup before hitting back at those who criticised the event.
He wrote: “To everyone who missed our beautiful game, the emotions, the celebrations, the laughter, the crying, the deception and the joy. To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents, and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness.
“Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all. To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organizing, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world.
“While you hide, we are exploring the streets of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, talking with fans, engaging with people and ensuring everyone’s safety. While you divide, we unite. People came together as families, as fans, as one.”
Infantino wrapped up by lavishing praise upon himself for “delivering the most outstanding” World Cup. Taking another swipe at his detractors, he added: “May you find peace; we at FIFA have found ours and we deliver it, by delivering the most outstanding FIFA World Cup. May football rise above all hate.
“Finally I am incredibly proud, as FIFA President, to have contributed, even a little, to this show. It’s a great feeling!”