European soccer nations ‘focus on World Cup – Sports News
Gianni Infantino’s controversial World Cup plan is linked to Donald Trump (Image: Getty Images)
FIFA’s newest revenue-generating scheme has sparked such intense backlash that UEFA member nations are actually contemplating an unprecedented boycott, following President Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal that has triggered worldwide outrage.
UEFA issued an official assertion in response to Infantino’s plan to sell minority possession within the World Cup and different premier competitions. FIFA additionally oversees the Women’s World Cup, Club World Cup, and numerous youth and seaside soccer tournaments, and is now encountering important opposition.
FIFA introduced its intention to ascertain a new business division, FIFA Forward Enterprise, in partnership with JP Morgan, with an estimated valuation of $20 billion. The group goals to generate $4.2 billion by divesting a 20 p.c share to personal buyers.
UEFA challenged FIFA’s assertion that it could actually restructure the World Cup’s business framework whereas retaining match authority. “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross,” UEFA’s assertion declared.
“UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.
Infantino is a highly controversial figure in global soccer (Image: Getty Images)
“The soul and governance of soccer will not be belongings to commerce – particularly with zero transparency as to who features financially. None of us are the house owners of soccer. It shouldn’t be FIFA’s to sell.”
According to Sky News, UEFA’s 55 member nations are set to convene an emergency virtual meeting to address Infantino’s proposal. The plan has backing from Joshua Kushner’s investment fund, Thrive Eternal.
Kushner already has a foothold in professional sports as a minority owner of both the Miami Heat and the San Francisco Giants. He is the brother of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump‘s son-in-law.
Infantino could potentially assume the role of commissioner of the newly formed company — a move that would be unprecedented in European soccer and more closely aligned with the structure of major American sports leagues, including the NBA/WNBA and NFL.
Data shows that leading American sports league commissioners, including Gary Bettman (NHL), Adam Silver (NBA), Rob Manfred (MLB), and Roger Goodell (NFL), each earn upwards of $10 million annually. Goodell’s compensation is reportedly approaching $70 million.
Should the proposal move forward, Infantino’s annual earnings could reportedly skyrocket to tens of millions of dollars — a dramatic leap from his current $6 million FIFA salary.
While UEFA has already issued a response, other soccer confederations have yet to release official statements. These include CONMEBOL in South America, CAF in Africa, AFC in Asia, CONCACAF in North and Central America and the Caribbean, and OFC in Oceania.
The 2026 World Cup generated an unprecedented $15 billion in income. The match additionally established contemporary North American viewership benchmarks, with more than 62.8 million U.S. viewers watching the Spain vs. Argentina match.
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