Gambiaj.com – (GENEVA, Switzerland) – FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing growing criticism over plans to create a new commercial company to manage the broadcasting and commercial rights of the World Cup after reports linked a leading potential investor to the family of US President Donald Trump.
According to the Financial Times, Infantino is exploring the creation of a separate commercial entity that would manage the rights to the men’s and women’s World Cups, as well as the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. The proposed company could open its capital to private investors while FIFA retains overall control.
The plan could be worth billions of dollars. FIFA is reportedly considering selling between 20 and 30 percent of the company, which could be valued at around €17.3 billion, potentially generating approximately €3.5 billion from the transaction.
But the identity of a potential investor has raised questions about conflicts of interest and FIFA’s relationship with the Trump family.
Trump Connection Raises Questions
The investment fund Thrive Capital has emerged as a potential vehicle for bringing together private investors, according to the report. The company is led by Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser.
The connection is particularly sensitive because of Infantino’s well-documented relationship with Trump.
Infantino has maintained close ties with the US president, who played a prominent role in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The FIFA president has also been photographed and publicly associated with Trump on several occasions.
The possibility that an investment group led by the brother of Trump’s son-in-law could acquire a stake in a FIFA commercial vehicle has, therefore, fueled concerns over political influence, transparency, and potential conflicts of interest.
There is no indication in the report that Trump himself is involved in the proposed investment, but the family connection has added a politically charged dimension to an already controversial proposal.
UEFA Warns FIFA Has Crossed a Line
FIFA has defended the plan as an attempt to unlock the enormous commercial value generated by global football and use that wealth to promote the sport’s development worldwide.
The governing body said the proposed structure would only proceed if approved by a majority of its member associations and authorized by the FIFA Council, including any necessary regulatory changes.
Infantino has argued that football’s extraordinary popularity has created significant commercial value and that FIFA has a responsibility to ensure the proceeds contribute to sustainable and inclusive development of the sport.
But UEFA has strongly rejected the idea, warning that football’s governing institutions should not treat the sport as a financial asset to be traded.
In a sharply worded statement, European football’s governing body said the proposal crossed a line that football authorities should never cross. UEFA questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the potential financial beneficiaries and argued that no single institution owns football.
“The soul and governance of football are not assets to be traded,” UEFA said, insisting that FIFA does not have the right to sell the sport.
Billions at Stake
The proposed restructuring could represent one of the biggest commercial changes in FIFA’s history, potentially giving private investors a direct financial interest in some of football’s most lucrative global competitions.
While FIFA insists it would retain control, the prospect of selling a significant minority stake in the commercial company has triggered a debate over whether the organization should allow outside investors to profit directly from World Cup rights.
The controversy is further complicated by Infantino’s relationship with Trump and the reported involvement of a company headed by Jared Kushner’s brother.
For now, the proposal remains at the discussion stage and would require approval from FIFA’s governing structures and member associations. But the combination of billions of dollars, private investment, and links to Trump’s inner circle has already turned Infantino’s commercial ambitions into a major governance controversy within world football.
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