UEFA’s 55 national associations have threatened to boycott FIFA competitions in response to Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell up to 21% of a new $20 billion commercial company, FIFA Forward Enterprises, reportedly led by Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Eternal. FIFA says roughly $4.2 billion would be reinvested into member associations, and it has offered funding incentives tied to a Sept. 19 vote. Critics warn private investors could reshape tournament formats and priorities, while reported ties between Infantino, Trump and the Kushner family have raised ethical and political concerns.
UEFA Threatens Boycott After FIFA Proposal to Sell World Cup Stakes to Trump-Linked Investors
FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with President Trump on Dec. 05, 2025 in Washington, DC.(Jia Haocheng/Getty Images)
The fallout from the 2026 World Cup may have ended on the pitch, but a new political and commercial storm is brewing. On Thursday, the 55 national associations that make up the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) unanimously threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions unless FIFA abandons a controversial plan to sell a minority stake in a new commercial vehicle for World Cup rights.
What FIFA Is Proposing
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reportedly proposed spinning off a new company, FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), valued at roughly $20 billion. The plan would allow FIFA to sell up to a 21% stake to private investors, with Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Eternal expected to lead the investor group. Apollo Sports Capital has also been cited as a potential backer. FIFA says the private capital—estimated at about $4.2 billion—would be reinvested into football worldwide as development grants for member associations.
Responses From Europe and Other Confederations
UEFA called the idea unacceptable: "The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. Some things are simply too important to sell," the association said, warning that investor influence could prioritize commercial returns over the sport's long-term health. Concacaf, the Asian Football Confederation and numerous national associations, including U.S. Soccer, have also criticized or rejected the proposal.
"The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever," UEFA warned, citing risks to competition formats, international calendars and player welfare.
Political and Ethical Concerns
Scrutiny has intensified because of reported links between the proposed investor group and the Trump administration. Joshua Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, a prominent Trump adviser. Infantino’s growing public relationship with former President Donald Trump—including shared appearances, FIFA office space leased in Trump Tower and a recently awarded FIFA "Peace Prize" to Trump—has prompted questions about conflicts of interest and political influence.
Process, Deadlines and Incentives
Infantino has given FIFA’s 211 member associations until Sept. 19 to vote on the proposal. FIFA says it would retain majority control of FFE and that each member association would receive a stake. FIFA has also offered financial incentives tied to the vote: it pledged to double base funding to $20 million for every member association over four years, while associations that vote in favor would receive $40 million.
Potential Consequences
Critics warn private ownership could lead FIFA to further commercialize the World Cup, increase tournament frequency or expand team numbers—changes that could clash with domestic leagues and heighten player workload. Reports also suggest Infantino could run FFE after his presidential term ends in 2031, with media estimates of possible compensation comparable to major U.S. sports commissioners—figures FIFA has disputed.
Where Things Stand
Several senior FIFA officials and advisers have publicly criticized the plan, and at least one senior adviser resigned in protest. UEFA has made a stark demand: no UEFA national teams will participate in FIFA competitions while the proposals remain alive unless the plan is abandoned entirely and binding assurances are provided that FIFA will never open governance or competitions to private ownership.
The next tournaments on the calendar are the under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland (Sept. 5–27) and the senior Women's World Cup in Brazil next summer—both potentially affected if the dispute escalates into a boycott. Infantino is up for reelection next March, and the controversy will be a major factor in any contest for the presidency.
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