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Gianni Infantino's grip on the FIFA presidency is growing increasingly fragile after his top adviser resigned in protest over plans to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors.
Infantino and FIFA defiantly doubled down on their contentious stance after UEFA confirmed its 55 member nations would boycott future competitions unless the proposal was abandoned, rushing out a statement insisting that "nobody is selling football."
Concacaf has similarly rejected FIFA's proposal, citing "deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal," while the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), representing 47 nations, publicly voiced its opposition on Friday, calling on "FIFA to undertake an urgent review of its governance."
Infantino's audacious power move—designed to establish a new $20 billion entity that would distribute shares to venture capitalists including Joshua Kushner, brother of U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared—appears to have spectacularly collapsed. So severe was the fallout that his senior aide, Carlos Cordeiro, stepped down on Friday morning, taking direct aim at Infantino in the process.
Infantino's Plans Torn to Shreds
"Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFA's Member Associations, a bad deal for football and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.
A statement to Sky News continued: "Football has been central to my life, and after more than 35 years in banking, I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving part of it away. That is why this proposal should be rejected.
"FIFA already has access to extraordinary financial resources. The organization sits on billions of dollars in reserves and carries no debt. The FIFA President himself has highlighted the $15 billion in revenue generated between 2022 and 2026.
"If Member Associations believe additional investment is needed to grow the game, FIFA already has the financial capacity to provide that support from its existing resources. Against that backdrop, selling a permanent stake in football's most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes little sense. It is mortgaging football's future without any compelling justification.
"Such commercial success was no accident. It was delivered by seasoned football professionals who broke FIFA's commercial records. Yet despite those accomplishments, FIFA is now being asked to believe that outside investors are necessary to unlock greater value. I do not accept that proposition. The people who built this success have already proven that FIFA has the expertise to keep growing both the sport and its commercial prospects.
"Most troubling of all is the absence of answers to fundamental questions. Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What governance will be in place? What will investors ultimately gain, and at what cost to football?
"This proposal has become a defining question for FIFA's future. After careful consideration, I can no longer continue in my role as Senior Advisor to the FIFA President. I have therefore resigned with immediate effect."
Failure Staring Infantino in the Face
For Infantino's plans to succeed, the Swiss administrator would need the backing of more than 50% (106) of FIFA's 211 Member Associations. UEFA accounts for 55 of those members, Concacaf 41, and the AFC 47—a combined total of 143.
With all three confederations having spoken out forcefully against Infantino's proposal, the idea of selling World Cup stakes appears to be on its last legs. The chaotic unravelling of Infantino's plan—and the rushed, panicked response statements—has naturally raised serious questions about whether Infantino can continue as FIFA president, a position he had appeared firmly secure in, with little expectation of a challenge at the 2027 re-election.
"The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a FIFA World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game. Football should never have been placed in such a position," the AFC said in a statement, adding that "fundamental weaknesses" had been "exposed" in FIFA's consultation and decision-making process.
Sky News reports that backing for Infantino is rapidly eroding, with many believing his position as president is now untenable. Numerous stakeholders are said to have lost faith in Infantino's leadership capabilities—a sentiment that was made clear during the emergency meeting convened by Concacaf on Thursday.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has already labelled Infantino "pathetic" following his initial social media post about FIFA's plans, stating plainly his view that a leadership change is necessary as FIFA is "rotten at its core."
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"In my opinion, yes, I think [Infantino's] time is up," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "However, he has the support of the system, of the federations, so there's not much more to add, is there? There's no opposition candidate; nobody wants to stand just to lose. This is the system, and it's a system rotten at its core. He shouldn't stay, but the current state of affairs means he won't leave.
"These past few days here in America, I've heard many people who are against Infantino, who disagree with what he's doing. They say it, but then they do nothing. I don't know what's worse, the silence or the complicity, because those who stay silent are perfectly aware of the damage football is suffering."