Infantino Folds on World Cup Stake Sale Amid Global Outcry, Trump Stays Mum on Kushner Link
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sensationally backed down from his controversial plan to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup, citing 'divisions' within global football just days after unveiling the audacious proposal. The scrapped deal, which would have seen private investors, notably a firm linked to Donald Trump son-in-law's brother, acquire significant commercial rights, drew widespread condemnation and a notably curt response from the former US President when questioned about the family connection. Infantino's abandoned vision involved creating a $20 billion subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), aimed at generating billions for global football development by offering up to a 20% stake to private capital. However, the proposal faced a furious backlash, with European governing body UEFA even threatening a World Cup boycott, joined in strong opposition by Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation. The scandal also triggered internal dissent, including the resignation of senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro. This abrupt reversal leaves Infantino's presidency under considerable pressure and casts a long shadow over his leadership just weeks after the successful 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the US. He has pledged to bring 'all interested parties back together,' but the fallout raises serious questions about FIFA's future commercial strategies and whether Infantino can mend the deep rifts his 'sell-off' scheme created, particularly with his re-election bid looming next year.