Gianni Infantino's FIFA presidency under siege
FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces the most serious threat to his decade-long rule after abruptly abandoning a plan to sell a 20% stake in a proposed $20 billion commercial subsidiary controlling World Cup and other tournament rights. The scheme, developed in secrecy and anchored by Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital (linked to the Trump family), sought to raise roughly $4.2 billion while promising extra funding to FIFA's 211 member associations. It collapsed within days amid ferocious backlash.
1. UEFA's boycott threat and no-confidence ultimatum
UEFA's 55 associations threatened a total boycott of FIFA competitions, declared a formal loss of confidence, and accused Infantino of a "shabby, back room, opaque" deal that violated his 2016 promises of transparency. UEFA has issued an ultimatum: resign or face a no-confidence vote that its members are prepared to trigger — only 43 associations are needed.
CONCACAF called the move an "egregious act of poor governance," the Asian Football Confederation demanded institutional reform, and associations including the English FA withdrew support for Infantino's 2027–2031 re-election bid. The coalition is broader and more organized than any previous challenge to his authority.
2. The collapsed subsidiary deal
The proposed structure would have created a commercial entity controlling World Cup and tournament rights, with Thrive Capital anchoring a minority stake sale. Infantino pitched the deal as a way to distribute billions to member associations. Critics saw it as a privatization of FIFA's most valuable assets through an opaque, back-room process that bypassed normal governance channels.
When details leaked, the backlash was immediate and bipartisan across confederations. Infantino abandoned the plan within days, but the damage to his credibility was already done. The episode reinforced the perception that his 2016 transparency pledges were hollow.
3. Pressure on multiple fronts
FIFA still owes clubs around $250 million from the 2025 Club World Cup, stalling future tournament talks. Internal tensions have escalated, with Secretary General Mattias Grafström reportedly distancing himself, senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigning in protest, and staff claiming they were deceived about the subsidiary plan.
In the United States, House Judiciary ranking Democrat Jamie Raskin is probing Infantino's extensive ties to President Trump — including FIFA's Trump Tower office space and the awarding of a FIFA Peace Prize — requesting documents and an interview. Infantino is reportedly seeking political cover, including a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
4. Calls for resignation mount
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and senior FIFA figures have publicly or privately called for Infantino's resignation. Once viewed as untouchable after delivering a commercially successful 2026 World Cup, Infantino now confronts a fractured power base, legal threats from UEFA to preserve evidence, and the real possibility of an early exit before the March 2027 Congress.
The crisis has laid bare deep governance failures and left world football's leadership in open turmoil. UEFA's legal team has reportedly instructed member associations to preserve documents related to the subsidiary deal, signaling preparation for a protracted fight.