Gianni Infantino wants to sell stakes in the World Cup. According to a BBC Sport investigation, the Fifa president is preparing to sell shares of his competitions, the World Cup included, to private investors linked to associates of US President Donald Trump. The news has stunned world football, and England is not immune to the fallout.
Infantino’s plan: what is Fifa actually proposing?
Infantino is billing the move as the democratisation of football. In reality, it means opening up equity in Fifa’s competitions, including the World Cup, to private capital. BBC Sport reports these investors are linked to associates of Donald Trump, a detail that has already fuelled accusations of a conflict of interest.
$40m per federation: the financial sweetener
To soften the blow, Infantino is promising $40m, roughly £30m, to every Fifa member federation to develop the game once the deal is finalised. The Swiss official has set a deadline of 19 September for federations to take a position on the deal, a tight timeline that leaves little room for proper debate.
Why this plan matters for England and the Premier League
For the FA, the prospect of private funds tied to US political interests gaining influence over World Cup governance is deeply unsettling. England, one of the favourites heading into the 2026 tournament, would see key decisions about the competition increasingly shaped by private shareholders rather than national federations alone.
Premier League executives are already questioning how the promised $40m would actually be spent, and what the real cost to English and European football would be under this arrangement.
Fan and political backlash: a contested democratisation
The reaction has been swift. Fans, politicians and regional governing bodies have condemned a plan they say is designed to enrich private interests rather than serve the game. Several federations, including those across Europe, are now demanding greater transparency before Infantino’s 19 September deadline.
FAQ
What is Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan?
Fifa president Gianni Infantino is planning to sell stakes in his competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors linked to associates of Donald Trump, according to BBC Sport.
How much money is Fifa promising federations under this deal?
Fifa is promising $40m, around £30m, to every member federation to help develop the game once the deal is finalised.
What deadline has Infantino set for the deal?
Gianni Infantino has set a deadline of 19 September for federations to decide on the proposal.
Why is this plan so controversial?
Fans, politicians and regional bodies fear the plan amounts to a privatisation of world football that benefits investors linked to US political power at the expense of traditional sporting governance.
Does this plan affect England and the Premier League?
Yes, the FA and Premier League clubs are closely watching the situation, since any shift in World Cup governance could directly affect one of the tournament’s leading contenders in 2026.
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