Infantino Abandons $20B World Cup Stake Sale After UEFA Boycott Threat

FIFA President Gianni Infantino scrapped a proposal to sell 20% of a new World Cup subsidiary to private investors following a boycott agreement by 55 UEFA nations.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino officially scrapped a proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup late Friday, July 31, 2026, following a 7:37 PM ET announcement. The plan involved spinning off FIFA’s commercial entities—including the men’s and women’s World Cups and Club World Cups—into a subsidiary valued at $20 billion. Under the proposed terms, private investors would have owned 20% of this new company. The primary "anchor investor" identified was a New York-based firm established by Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of Jared Kushner.

Opposition to the deal culminated in a unanimous agreement by UEFA’s 55 member nations on Thursday to boycott the World Cup and all other FIFA competitions. This protest specifically targeted the upcoming Women’s Under-20 World Cup, scheduled to begin September 5 in Poland. UEFA officials described the plan as an "abdication of FIFA's duty," asserting that certain assets are too significant to be sold to private equity. Following the European lead, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) also voiced their opposition to the project.

Internal Resignations and Staff Deception

The collapse of the proposal was accelerated by the resignation of Carlos Cordeiro on Friday. Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker who served as a presidential adviser and represented FIFA on the White House Task Force for the World Cup, stated he could not support the sale of tournament stakes. In his resignation, he urged other senior staff members to speak out against the leadership's direction.

Hours after Cordeiro’s departure, FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour issued a statement to The Associated Press criticizing the lack of transparency surrounding the project. Lamour, a long-time colleague of Infantino dating back to their tenure at UEFA, claimed that FIFA staff were deceived by the president’s lack of openness during months of planning. He categorized the initiative as the "project of one person" and called for football’s political leaders to make decisions to protect the sport's interests.

Infantino’s U-Turn and Future Mandates

Infantino’s statement on Friday night confirmed the "proposal will not proceed," citing divisions that were no longer in the interest of the organization’s objectives. He acknowledged the backlash that had intensified daily since the initial announcement on Tuesday. The president indicated his intent to bring interested parties back together in the coming weeks to discuss growing the game, particularly in nations requiring additional support.

This policy reversal occurs as Infantino nears the end of his eligible tenure. Having been elected in 2016 and reelected unopposed in 2019 and 2023, he is permitted only one final four-year term under current FIFA statutes. The deadline for the next presidential contest is set for November 18, exactly four months prior to the scheduled vote in Rabat, Morocco, where FIFA maintains its African headquarters.

Impact on International Competitions

The proposed $20 billion subsidiary was intended to manage all commercial businesses for both men's and women's global tournaments. Before the cancellation, the threat of a boycott posed an immediate risk to the September 5 kickoff of the Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Poland. Infantino, who previously served as the CEO-like general secretary of UEFA, now faces increased scrutiny regarding his leadership style and previous attempts to implement unpopular projects. The intervention by senior officials like Lamour and Cordeiro has left the president's standing more tenuous ahead of the Rabat vote.