Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell a 20% stake in the World Cup to a private investment group has drawn scrutiny from multiple quarters, including the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. The proposal, supported by an investment fund linked to Joshua Kushner, a brother of Jared Kushner, has raised concerns among lawmakers about potential conflicts of interest and the involvement of individuals connected to former President Donald Trump.

Representative Jamie Raskin, the committee’s ranking Democrat, criticized Fifa for entering into business ties with the Trump family. Raskin pointed to past interactions, including a disputed peace prize Infantino awarded Trump in December and Fifa’s leasing of office space in Trump Tower, New York. He described the current deal as a “kickback hat-trick,” involving a significant transaction with Joshua Kushner’s fund and suggested that the familial relationships at play warranted further investigation.

After Jared Kushner divested from Thrive Capital, the parent company of Thrive Eternal, in 2017 prior to joining the Trump administration, critics have noted continued close connections between the Kushner family and Fifa business dealings. Raskin has summoned Infantino to testify before the Judiciary Committee and requested documentation related to any gifts to Trump as well as visitor logs from Fifa’s Trump Tower offices.

The controversy comes amid claims by Trump that his direct communication with Infantino influenced Fifa’s decision to overturn a red card against U.S. player Folarin Balogun during the 2022 World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium. Although the U.S. ultimately lost the game 4-1, the episode has fueled allegations of undue political interference in Fifa affairs.

Joshua Kushner’s involvement in the sale follows a pattern of high-profile international dealings by his brother Jared. After Donald Trump’s presidency ended in early 2021, Jared secured significant funding from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The £2 billion investment into Jared Kushner’s Affinity Fund Management faced internal opposition over concerns about the management’s experience and risk concentration, but was ultimately approved by the crown prince’s board.

Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 World Cup, maintains growing commercial and political ties with Fifa. The PIF, also owner of English football club Newcastle United and the energy company Aramco, is a major Fifa sponsor with contracts reportedly worth about $100 million annually.

Kushner has defended his involvement with the PIF, emphasizing that the investment decisions have been aligned with U.S. interests. His connections to Saudi Arabia have drawn controversy, especially given Prince Mohammed’s alleged role in the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Both U.N. and U.S. intelligence investigations hold the Saudi leadership responsible, a characterization the Saudi government disputes.

U.S.-Saudi relations have warmed under both Trump and recent diplomatic developments, including a new agreement for civilian nuclear cooperation and joint military operations targeting Iran-backed groups. This context underscores the geopolitical complexity surrounding the financial arrangements tied to Fifa and the World Cup.

While Joshua Kushner is spearheading efforts to attract sovereign wealth funds and diversify investment in the tournament rights sale, some observers speculate that Jared Kushner’s previous dealings may facilitate introductions to key international investors. The proposed privatization move marks a significant shift in the ownership structure of one of the world’s most lucrative sporting events, sparking debate over transparency, governance, and the influence of political connections.