FIFA President Gianni Infantino finds himself in a precarious position, teetering on the edge of upheaval just weeks after the 2026 World Cup finished, bringing in unprecedented revenues of $15 billion. Following his controversial proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup to a private investment group led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, global backlash has erupted, putting Infantino’s leadership at serious risk.
Calls for Resignation from Soccer Icons and Leaders
The chorus of calls for Infantino’s resignation has grown louder, with notable figures across the sports world and beyond demanding his departure. Portuguese soccer legend Luis Figo stated, “Infantino must go,” in an op-ed for the Daily Mail. Javier Tebas, president of Italy’s La Liga, echoed similar sentiments, declaring that “the Infantino era is over,” during an interview with Le Monde. Adding to the pressure, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed a lack of confidence in Infantino, labeling the misstep regarding the sell-off plan as “fatal.”
The Backlash Following the Proposed Sell-Off
Infantino officially rescinded the sell-off plan on July 31, aiming to quell the criticism. The proposal involved FIFA, a long-established nonprofit, spinning off its commercial interests into a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). Kushner’s group, Thrive Capital, would acquire a 21 percent stake in FFE for approximately $4.2 billion. FIFA had defended the deal, suggesting it would generate substantial funds for global sports development.
However, opposition quickly mounted. UEFA condemned the proposal as an attempt to “sell the soul” of soccer, threatening to boycott future FIFA events should the deal proceed. Other organizations, including the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, also rejected the proposal, contributing to an intensifying sense of urgency around Infantino’s position.
UEFA’s Relentless Stance and Infantino’s Diminishing Support
Despite Infantino retracting the initial proposal, UEFA remained firm in its stance, reaffirming its boycott of FIFA events. The organization stated that it has “lost confidence in Gianni Infantino’s presidency,” a declaration echoed by Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, who remarked, “The trust is now gone for us. There is no way back for Infantino.” UEFA’s position will face scrutiny soon, particularly with the impending Under-20 Women’s World Cup kicking off on September 5 in Poland.
Allegations and Claims of Misinformation
Compounding their difficulties, Infantino faced allegations regarding a former relationship with a female UEFA employee, who reportedly received a six-figure “departure payment.” While UEFA confirmed this payment, FIFA strongly denied any accusations of inappropriate conduct, labeling them as “categorically untrue” and “defamatory.” They also asserted that no complaints regarding Infantino’s behavior have ever been filed by employees at UEFA or FIFA.
UEFA’s Strategy and Infantino’s Fate
Amidst the turmoil, UEFA is reportedly seeking support from other soccer confederations to convene an emergency FIFA Congress aimed at initiating a vote of no confidence against Infantino. With 55 member associations, UEFA easily meets the threshold of 43 votes necessary to call a meeting. However, ousting Infantino would require a majority from FIFA’s 211 national associations. Notably, the Confederation of African Football and South America’s CONMEBOL have publicly sided with Infantino, while Mexico has diverged from CONCACAF to support him.
As the pressure mounts, Infantino’s future hangs in the balance. While time remains for potential redemption, the road ahead is fraught with challenges that could reshape leadership within FIFA.
