‘This is crossing the line’: FIFA faces backlash over World Cup stake sale, links to Donald Trump | Today’s news
FIFA has announced plans to sell a minority stake in commercial rights to the World Cup. Critics say this would make the tournament an investment asset. They warn that this could fundamentally damage the spirit of the game.
On July 28, FIFA revealed that it would create a $20 billion ( ₹1.91 million crowns) subsidiary. This new entity will cover its business and event operations. External investors can buy up to 20% of a subsidiary.
FIFA says it could raise up to $4.2 billion ( ₹40,215 million crowns). The money would reportedly fund soccer development programs around the world. FIFA insists it will retain sole control of the venture. It says it would retain “sole authority” over competitions and management.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the move in a statement. He called football “the most popular sport in the world”. He said parts of the game created remarkable commercial value. He wants this success to continue for the benefit of all.
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FIFA faces backlash
However, the proposal sparked fierce opposition across football’s governing bodies. Fans and political leaders are concerned about the over-commercialization of the sport.
In an interview with Argentine journalist Víctor Hugo Morales in 2018, Diego Maradona predicted that America would push to further divide the game into four segments in order to sell more advertising.
The Argentina legend’s predictions have come true as the 2026 FIFA World Cup has had hydration breaks. Each half was actually split for the first time. Professor Rob di Gisi told the BBC the hydration breaks were likely worth “billions of dollars”.
Now, critics feel that commercialization could reach a new level. They are also worried about deepening ties to Donald Trump. The potential investors are said to be connected to the US president’s family through Joshua Kushner. Kushner runs Thrive Eternal, a company that buys sports stakes.
UEFA reacted strongly, saying football governance was “not for sale”. She criticized the complete lack of transparency regarding potential investors.
“This crosses a line that football’s governing bodies should never cross. UEFA takes this 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 statement read.
“The soul and governance of football are not assets to be traded – especially with zero transparency as to who will profit financially. None of us own football. FIFA is not a thing to sell,” he added.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter also made a critical statement. He said Infantino’s relationship with Trump had reached a disturbing level.
“The close relationship between the president of FIFA and the president of the USA has reached a financial dimension that is deeply damaging to football. No one has the right to sell our game,” he wrote on social media.
Other confederations echoed these concerns about process and governance. CONCACAF said it was “deeply concerned about the lack of due process”.
“We share the disappointment of many people in our region and the game that this level of detail has been proposed and shared publicly before any discussion has taken place with the relevant governing bodies and stakeholders,” it said.
