Australia
Infantino faces backlash over plan to sell World Cup stakes
Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell stakes in FIFA's events arm to private investors has sparked strong condemnation from regional soccer confederations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing mounting resistance over a controversial proposal to sell financial stakes in the organisation's events and competitions division to private investors, according to reporting by wire services. Under the proposed plan, outside investors would gain significant control over the commercial operations of major tournaments, including the flagship FIFA World Cup.
The prospective buyers reportedly include business associates of Donald Trump, a detail that has added political sensitivity to an already contentious commercial negotiation. Soccer's regional organising confederations have swiftly condemned the proposal, viewing it as an attempt to outsource control of the sport's most lucrative property.
Under the current structure, FIFA maintains absolute control over the administration, broadcasting rights, and commercial partnerships of its international tournaments. The proposed restructuring would separate the events and competitions arm into a new entity, allowing external capital to buy into the business. While the exact financial terms of the potential deal remain undisclosed, critics within the regional confederations argue that relinquishing governance of the World Cup could compromise the integrity and equitable distribution of soccer's global revenue.
It is not yet confirmed how much equity Infantino plans to divest, nor is it clear which specific investors have engaged in formal discussions. FIFA has not released a formal statement detailing the logic behind the privatisation push, though commentators suggest the governing body is seeking rapid capital expansion ahead of the expanded 2026 World Cup in North America.
Observer groups and member nations are now waiting to see if regional governing bodies will formally block the privatisation proposal at the next FIFA Council meeting.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
Dedicated to a Stronger Victoria.
A message from the editor, September
Every story here is free to read. Only readers keep it that way.
We take no government money, run no paywall, and answer to nobody in Spring Street. That independence is paid for by a small number of readers, not the many who benefit from it. If just one in a hundred of today's readers gave $8 a month, our Victorian politics coverage would be funded for the year.
- Funds reporting, not shareholders
- Cancel in one click, anytime
- Supporter badge and reply access
Prefer a one-off? Send a tip. It takes about twenty seconds.