Gianni Infantino is looking to sell World Cup stakes in a controversial move that could earn him millions, according to a report.
The FIFA president has spent a decade at the top of football’s global governing body but looks set to cash in on it’s biggest tournament.
According to The Times, he plans to market stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
This would lead to the introduction of a new company that will be in charge of top competitions across men’s and women’s football.
The World Cup and Club World Cup would also come under control, and therefore expansion or more regular editions could materialise.
In addition, the plan is said to have been discussed with figures close to US president Donald Trump.
Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared is Trump’s son-in-law, has been eyed as the primary investor candidate with the bank JP Morgan.
The plan would also see stakes worth around $20million (£15m) given to all of the 211 member associations involved with FIFA.
Once his last term as president concludes, which could be in 2031 at the earliest, Infantino would likely be the group’s commissioner.
UEFA hit back at FIFA plans
Following the publication of The Times’ article, the European football governing body released a statement to condemn the plan.
“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross,” UEFA said.
“UEFA takes it extremely seriously. 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.
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“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.”
Infantino under the spotlight
The 2026 World Cup was yet another spectacle on the pitch, but a series of controversies off it overshadowed the tournament.
Infantino has been the subject of intense scrutiny for his relationship with Trump, even before the World Cup began.
Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the group stage draw in December.
He was championed by the FIFA president for ‘unwavering commitment’ to world peace through ‘notable leadership and action’.
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During the 2026 World Cup, United States striker Folarin Balogun had his one-match ban for a red card suspended for a year.
talkSPORT revealed that Trump called Infantino to review the decision, the only one of its kind out of all the 15 red card decisions.
In response, The Norwegian FA have intended to make a formal complaint to FIFA’s ethics committee over Trump’s intervention.
The red card has also been linked with potential betting irregularities.
On Monday, it was reported that a US lawmaker has requested for Infantino to appear before the House Judiciary Committee.
Rep. Jamie Raskin wants Infantino’s relationship with Trump to be scrutinised and FIFA to provide all records of their contact with the politician.
Infantino has responded to the criticism aimed at him by accusing people of ‘spreading hate’.
He called upon critics to instead ‘reflect, meditate, pray, or watch a football match’.
