Gianni Infantino sets deadline for federations to approve World Cup stake plan

sportsJul 30, 202616264

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has given the federation's 211 member associations until 19 September to approve a plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions, offering an initial payment of $20 million and promising up to $40 million to each country once a deal is finalised. The plan would create a private commercial vehicle to run the World Cup and other tournaments, with investment advice from Greg Maffei and backing from Thrive Capital, led by Josh Kushner. Infantino frames the move as the "democratisation of football" and is pitching the upfront money as development funding for lower-income federations. Critics have reacted with incredulity and anger among fans, politicians and regional governing bodies, and editorial voices such as The Guardian called the proposal a serious breach of football's interests. Infantino's long-standing support in Africa, Asia and the Americas, plus FIFA's simple-majority voting rule, make the plan more likely to pass despite opposition. If approved, the move would permanently shift control and commercial revenues toward the new company, consolidating Infantino's influence and creating significant private investor stakes in the World Cup.

Olga Nesterova

@onestpress.onestnetwork.com

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is proposing to sell a minority stake of up to 20% in a new commercial subsidiary (modeled by Formula One) that would run the World Cup and other tournaments. 🧵

8018h ago

Olga Nesterova38

External investors — backed by Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital (Jared’s younger brother) — would own up to 20%. Infantino set a September 19 deadline offering member federations up to $40M in funding if they approve.

Andrei Taranchenko2

Let me guess. The new co-owner will rhyme with "Dasha".

benway14.bsky.social1

Is there any way to invade Infantino and liberate football?

KitNCaboodle1

why would you sell off the one asset you have? Instead of getting 100% of the profits, you have to share with an entity that is going to demand more and more over time.

Quoting this

Dan Hon6

ahahahahahahaha (second post in Olga's thread names a Kushner as an investor)

Ruth Watson4

Trump's mob family presidency continues.

Andy Brown

@andybrown1951.bsky.social

This man has repeatedly shamed football by debasing the sport at the feet of Donald Trump. Now he wants to monetise his friendship with the corrupt rich. UEFA needs to set up an alternative world football association that belongs to the fans www.theguardian.com/football/202...

543h ago

Quoting this

JLichdi3

Zieht die UEFA die Reissleine? Notwendig wär’s.

Tom Bogert

@tombogert.bsky.social

📺 Morning Footy on CBS Sports Golazo is also on YouTube today. Huge show. On Infantino plot to sell to private equity ... then latest news USMNT being close to sorting a return for Mauricio Pochettino on four-year deal And much more www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-c7...

3520h ago

Jorge A. Caballero, MD

@datadrivenmd.social

"FIFA announced on Tuesday proposals to set up a private company to run its competitions which would have links to the extended family of U.S. President Donald Trump."

2013h ago

Quoting this

stacy-marie ishmael10

Even CONCACAF (CONCACAF!) is asking a about "due process" on this one.

James Tyler

@jamestylerespn.bsky.social

What is Gianni Infantino playing at with his latest scheme, essentially putting the World Cup up for sale? Mark Ogden has some answers to the most pressing questions: www.espn.com/soccer/story...

1313h ago

Patrick Johnston 🇨🇦

@risingaction.bsky.social

So I asked Canada Soccer what they think of Gianni Infantino's idea and they basically said "uh we just got it so we need to think a little first" theprovince.com/sports/socce...

911h ago

CrankyCanucksFan 🇨🇦🏒3

Riiiight, because Infantino’s words were so nuanced and their meaning so opaque. More like they need time to decide if it’s worth trying to get in on the deal. 😠

consbegone.bsky.social3

Take a principled stand FFS!!!

Quoting this

Darren Russcher 🇨🇦2

FFS. This isn't hard. Stand up and show some leadership for once.

Grumpy Philosopher

@stevecooke.org

Only Gianni Infantino would try to sell the World Cup to Donald Trump, without consulting anyone, whilst claiming it is for the good of the game.

83h ago

Paul Le Comte 🇳🇿🇨🇦📷

@paullecomtephoto.nz

Quite keep for towns around the world to host Fan Zones & viewing parties to watch UEFA & COMEBOL take down FIFA & no there won't be a hydration break for officials until Gianni Infantino is in jail or court

Further UEFA statement on FIFA plans
Today we have learned of FIFA's deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan.
But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, UEFA knows there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA's scheme. FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends. We can grow the game correctly. It's time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.

89h ago

ABC News Australia

@news.abc.net.au

Gianni Infantino wants to sell the FIFA World Cup to a Trump associate. Here's what could happen

74h ago

CYNC Verity Media

@cvmedia.bsky.social

The EU has joined UEFA in opposing FIFA's plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to outside investors, warning the move risks excessive commercialization and conflicts between football governance and private financial interests. #FIFA #EU www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...

921h ago

Kristaps Andrejsons

@theeasternborder.lv

FIFA are a bunch of parasites and Gianni Infantino is an utter bastard. I hope that Latvian Football Federation votes for football and not for greed. youtu.be/3FTeLXCNGM0?...

56h ago

thepolyorchid

@thepolyorchid.bsky.social

He’s often an insufferable pillock, but this is a great article by Matthew Syed. FA must denounce Gianni Infantino swiftly to stop World Cup sale www.thetimes.com/article/390d...

44h ago

Charles EP Murphy

@cepmurphy.bsky.social

"Call the Judges! Some hooligans are playing football at Gianni Infantino Conplex's Bribe-a-Thon!"

313h ago

David Branch

@dbranch9.bsky.social

You don’t need more time to criticise Infantino’s plans. He’s just trying to make himself and Trump’s acolytes rich at the cost of the independence and integrity of football. www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...

32h ago

Tako 🇬🇧

@takoyakyono.bsky.social

FIFA as it stands cannot be allowed to exist. It must be abolished. Gianni Infantino has fallen in with Trump's regime, and is out to sell the rights to the World Cup to the Trump family. UEFA must pull out of the world cup and start their own if the good game is to survive.

313h ago

3 sources

bbc.co.ukGianni Infantino: Why Fifa president is pushing World Cup sell off plan thetimes.comGianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup theguardian.comThe Guardian view on selling off the World Cup: a red-card offence by Gianni Infantino | Editorial

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Gianni Infantino sets deadline for federations to approve World Cup stake plan

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