FIFA had publicly announced its proposal to sell shares of the World Cup to investors through a subsidiary company instantly valued at $20 billion. FIFA President Gianni Infantino\u2019s plan\u2014first revealed in media leaks and put forth without consulting member associations\u2014was immediately met with heavy backlash from several confederations and higher-ups in the soccer world, all claiming the sport\u2019s most prestigious affair should not be \u201cfor sale.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With many stakeholders, including UEFA, CONCACAF, the English Football Association and the Norwegian Football Federation, opposing what they call FIFA's attempts to \"sell\" the flagship FIFA World Cup and other major tournaments, U.S. Soccer has chosen its stance, and that does not align with the nation\u2019s president, Donald Trump.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cU.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer, CFU (Caribbean Football Union) and UNCAF (Central American Football Union) stand together, along with our colleagues around the world, in calling for meaningful change that strengthens FIFA\u2019s governance, transparency and accountability,\u201d the federation posted to X on Monday morning.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
According to a news report, unlike its European counterparts, though, the U.S. has not vowed to boycott FIFA competitions, but rather, seems most focused on witnessing a structural overhaul at the governing body\u2019s most senior levels. It is an emphasis that Concacaf has likewise made, particularly highlighting \u201cthe lack of due process surrounding [Infantino\u2019s initial] proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
According to the reports, with support for Infantino wavering, the White House has reportedly pledged its fidelity. Trump and Infantino have become close over several years, a relationship that itself invited backlash and controversy all summer long at the 2026 World Cup across North America.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cGianni helped us a lot to deliver the best World Cup ever. The president likes him a lot. I am sure the president will do everything possible to help him,\u201d an unnamed senior administration official was quoted as saying in media reports.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
According to the reports, with support for Infantino wavering, the White House has reportedly pledged its fidelity. Trump and Infantino have become close over several years, a relationship that itself invited backlash and controversy all summer long at the 2026 World Cup across North America.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Trump\u2019s support came just days after he claimed to have no prior knowledge of Infantino\u2019s plan to sell World Cup shares. It was a surprise response given not only the pair\u2019s closeness, but also that Thrive Eternal\u2014a venture capital firm founded and managed by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump\u2019s son-in-law\u2014was pegged to \u201clead the proposed investor group.\u201d It was also reported at the time that the Trump administration had been consulted about the project.<\/p>\r\n\r\n