Infantino sets deadline for FIFA offer in Kushner-backed World Cup plan
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has set a September 19 deadline for member federations to accept a $20 million offer each, underwritten by Jared Kushner's brother Joshua Kushner's investment firm, as part of a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup through a $20 billion FIFA subsidiary. The proposal has drawn immediate criticism from UEFA and other continental football bodies over governance and transparency concerns.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has established a September 19 deadline for the organisation's 211 member federations to decide on a one-time $20 million payment offer, contingent on approval of a restructuring plan backed by Thrive Capital, the investment firm of Joshua Kushner. The proposal centres on creating a $20 billion FIFA subsidiary that would be 20 percent privately owned and would oversee the organisation's major competitions, including World Cups and Club World Cups.
Infantino framed the opportunity as transformative in a letter to member federations, emphasising his responsibility to present such proposals. The plan would introduce a pool of international investors, with Thrive Capital serving as the anchor investor and J.P. Morgan leading the investment process. Member federations approving the plan would receive $20 million from the commercial cycle tied to the men's 2030 World Cup, compared to the previously promised $10 million if the proposal is rejected.
The announcement triggered swift opposition from UEFA, which stated that the World Cup is not FIFA's property to sell and called for an emergency online meeting of its 55 member federations. Continental football bodies representing Asia and the North American, Central American and Caribbean region expressed concerns about the lack of due process and the absence of prior consultation. The Asian Football Confederation stated disappointment that such a significant matter entered public discussion before member examination.
The proposal represents another ambitious initiative during Infantino's 11-year presidency, following previous attempts to establish a FIFA Peace Prize and reorganise the World Cup calendar to occur every two years rather than four. Continental organisations managing their own major competitions—including the Champions League, European Championship, and Copa America—view the plan as potentially threatening to their events, as FIFA would seek increased revenue through more frequent World Cup and Club World Cup tournaments.
Bell tracks these organizations in depth — profiles, people, signals, and history. See them inside Bell →
Target the right Qatari accounts at the right time.