World Cup President Infantino's Controversial Proposals

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 30, 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed selling ownership stakes in the World Cup to private investors and altering its format to increase frequency and concentrate hosting mainly in the United States. This plan has drawn strong opposition from UEFA and the English FA, who warn it could undermine the tournament’s sporting integrity and even lead to a withdrawal from FIFA by major football bodies.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sparked controversy with recent proposals that would significantly alter the structure and ownership of the World Cup, raising concerns about the future of the tournament’s sporting integrity. The plan reportedly involves selling stakes in the World Cup to a consortium of private investors, including a group led by the brother of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

According to critics, the proposal could change the event’s format by increasing the frequency of the tournament and concentrating it in fewer host countries, primarily the United States, in an effort to maximize revenue. Observers worry that such changes would dilute the unique, global nature of the World Cup, which traditionally occurs every four years across a range of nations.

Infantino’s recent tenure at FIFA has already attracted scrutiny, with previous decisions—including the implementation of elaborate halftime entertainment, hydration breaks, and an overturned red card involving U.S. player Folarin Balogun, reportedly influenced by Donald Trump—seen by some as prioritizing commercial interests over the sport itself. Critics also note that Infantino could stand to benefit financially from the proposed arrangements.

To mitigate potential backlash, the plan includes offering stakes to FIFA’s 211 member associations, with each expected to receive a share valued at approximately $20 million. This aspect of the proposal has been described by some detractors as a form of bribery intended to secure support for the changes.

The English Football Association (FA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) have publicly opposed the proposal. UEFA, in particular, has emphasized its significant influence as the governing body of football in Europe, where six of the eight quarter-finalists at the most recent World Cup competed, and five of the last six tournament winners originated. UEFA and the FA have called on FIFA to reconsider the plan, stressing the importance of maintaining the competition’s integrity.

There have been suggestions that if FIFA under Infantino’s leadership continues down this path, UEFA and other organizations might consider more decisive action, including the possibility of withdrawing from FIFA altogether. Such a move would represent a significant disruption to the administration and staging of international football’s premier event.

The World Cup remains one of the most widely watched sporting events worldwide, and any fundamental changes to its format, ownership, or governance are likely to generate considerable debate among fans, players, and stakeholders across the football community.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.