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See the full story · 3 sourcesFIFA president Gianni Infantino reportedly plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, including Joshua Kushner, according to the The Times. If the deal were to go through, Infantino would reportedly stand to gain tens of millions of dollars, per The Times.
Kushner is the brother of U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The Trump administration is reportedly aware of Infantino's plan, per the Times. Trump and Infantino are friendly, as both displayed in the lead-up and execution of the 2026 World Cup. Kushner would purchase a stake in the World Cup through Thrive Capital, a venture-capitalist firm.
Should the deal be completed, a company would be formed to control FIFA's top men's and women's teams in "competitions, the World Cup and Club World Cup." Additionally, each of FIFA's 211 member associations — and the private investors — would receive a stake in the company. FIFA would still own the majority of the new company, according to The Times.
Infantino would reportedly run the company as its commissioner after his term as FIFA president ends in 2031. His salary would likely be on par with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's, who makes about $64 million a year. When asked about that role and salary, FIFA said it had yet to be discussed, but that FIFA and its president should have a "leading role" in the company, if it's approved.
In a statement to the Times, FIFA said it was also looking to "boost the development of football around the world."
"Fifa is always on the lookout for innovative projects that can boost the development of football around the world and is always open to reviewing proposals submitted to it. We are starting a consultation process."
FIFA is a not-for-profit organization set to make a revenue around $15 billion for the 2022-26 World Cup cycle, per the Times. That is highly valued by private investors, who would likely look to expand the tournament and hold it more often as a way to maximize profits.
But not every organization is on board. In a statement, UEFA made it clear it was vehemently opposed to the idea .
"This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross. 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.
"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."
It’s also unclear if the idea will garner support from any of the region's governing bodies.
It's not the first time Infantino has attempted to bring private investors into the game. In 2018, Infantino tried to reach a $25 billion deal with Japanese bank SoftBank and Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund to reportedly create new international soccer events. That deal eventually fell through due to lack of support, per The Times.
Infantino also reportedly discussed other possibilities — including a FIFA streaming service — with former U.S. treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, though that also did not happen.
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