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Wednesday, 5 August 2026
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Gianni Infantino

Also known as: FIFA President Gianni Infantino · Giani Infantino · the FIFA boss · FIFA supremo Infantino · FIFA president Giani Infantino · FIFA President Infantino · FIFA boss · Mr Infantino · Fifa boss Gianni Infantino · Mr Gianni Infantino · President Gianni Infantino

FIFA president who proposed then abandoned a $4.2 billion private investment plan for the World Cup, facing loss of confidence from UEFA and other confederations.

2026-04-242026-08-05

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. The Standard

    French federation president Philippe Diallo told sports daily L’Equipe that, for several months, he had drawn Fifa President Gianni Infantino’s attention to World Cup teams not being properly rewarded, compared with what Club World Cup winner Chelsea received one year ago.

    World Cup winner Spain bag Sh6.5 billion
  3. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeDriven by an enlarged 48-team format, the 2026 World Cup created a stadium attendance high while FIFA boss Gianni Infantino said that TV viewership broke the previous record "many, many times over".

    With more matches, World Cup shatters attendance and TV records
  4. Citizen Digital

    Trump on Friday hailed the tournament as "the most successful sporting event, maybe in the history of the world" as he held a reception in New York with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

    Spain and Argentina brace for World Cup final
  5. Citizen Digital

    Trump on Friday hailed the World Cup as "the most successful sporting event, maybe in the history of the world" as he held a reception in New York with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

    England finish third as Spain and Argentina brace for World Cup final
  6. The Standard

    Trump on Friday hailed the tournament as "the most successful sporting event, maybe in the history of the world" as he held a reception in New York with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

    Spain and Argentina brace for World Cup final
  7. The Standard

    Trump is expected to present the trophy alongside FIFA boss and close friend Gianni Infantino to the winner of the game between Spain and Argentina.The match in New Jersey will be the first World Cup fixture that Trump has attended, in an unusual move for an 80-year-old leader wh

    Trump to bask in World Cup final spotlight
  8. Citizen Digital

    Infantino's enlarged World Cup gamble pays off with punters By AFP July 18, 2026 08:23 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Fifa President Gianni Infantino speaks on stage during the draw for the 2026 FIFA Footb

    Infantino's enlarged World Cup gamble pays off with punters
  9. Citizen Digital

    Trump on Friday hailed the World Cup, held in Canada, Mexico and the United States as "the most successful sporting event, maybe in the history of the world" as he held a reception in New York with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

    Spain, Argentina tune up for World Cup final
  10. Citizen Digital

    US agencies have seized more than 700 drones near World Cup sites By Reuters July 16, 2026 11:43 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter FIFA president Gianni Infantino (R) hands the World Cup trophy to US Presiden

    US agencies have seized more than 700 drones near World Cup sites
  11. Citizen Digital

    Infantino opens door to 64-team World Cup By Agencies July 13, 2026 04:30 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter FIFA president Gianni Infantino (R) hands the World Cup trophy to US President Donald Trump in the O

    Infantino opens door to 64-team World Cup

Today

  1. FIFA chief Infantino holds emergency talks with directors

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino held emergency talks with other FIFA directors in Morocco on August 5, 2026, amid criticism over his shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment, with calls for his resignation growing since he abandoned the proposal.

    2 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  2. FIFA president Infantino's grip weakened by World Cup investment backlash

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino has lost UEFA's confidence after his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup triggered global backlash and calls for his resignation, despite FIFA withdrawing the proposal. His previously unopposed path to a fourth term in March's election has been significantly weakened.

    9 hours ago · Citizen Digital

Yesterday

  1. Wenger backs scrapping of Infantino's World Cup stake-sale plan

    Arsene Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, said the decision to scrap FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors was "absolutely necessary and beyond question."

    4 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. FIFA president Infantino loses UEFA confidence over scrapped investment plan

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino has lost the "confidence" of UEFA after his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup was withdrawn following global backlash, marking the first significant threat to his position despite his recent successes with expanded tournaments.

    4 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. FIFA president Infantino faces pressure after failed investor plan

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino's position is threatened for the first time following the failure of a private investor plan, despite his recent successes in expanding the Club World Cup and World Cup and delivering increased revenue to FIFA's 211 member associations.

    4 August 2026 · The Standard

  4. Wenger says scrapping Infantino's World Cup stake sale necessary

    FIFA's chief of global football development Arsene Wenger called the decision to scrap Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors "absolutely necessary and beyond question." The plan had drawn widespread criticism and was rejected by three continental confederations, including UEFA which threatened to boycott FIFA competitions.

    4 August 2026 · The Standard

Monday 3 August

  1. Welsh FA withdraws support for Infantino FIFA re-election bid

    Wales became the first nation to publicly withdraw support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino's re-election bid over his failed plan to allow private investment in the World Cup, which he withdrew after a global backlash.

    3 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. FIFA's Infantino faces criticism after shelving $4.2 billion investment plan

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino abandoned a scheme to raise $4.2 billion through private investment after global backlash. A former IOC marketing chief told AFP that Infantino's leadership has become "radioactive" and his reign "is over," with UEFA and CONCACAF among governing bodies expressing loss of confidence in him.

    3 August 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 2 August

  1. FIFA president's leadership becomes "radioactive" after investment plan collapse

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino has lost the confidence of UEFA after withdrawing a plan to raise up to $4.2 billion through private investment in World Cup and Club World Cup events. A former IOC marketing chief said Infantino's ten-year reign as head of world football is over and his leadership has become "radioactive" following the global backlash.

    2 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. UEFA, CONCACAF criticize Infantino after FIFA scraps World Cup investment plan

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino came under fire from continental governing bodies after withdrawing a plan to allow private investment in the World Cup. UEFA said Infantino had lost their confidence through a "shabby, back room, opaque deal," while CONCACAF called for "a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency" and criticized his "poor governance and leadership."

    2 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. German FA demands investigation into FIFA World Cup investment plan

    The German FA called for a full investigation into FIFA's withdrawn proposal to allow private investment in the World Cup, demanding transparency and a "fundamental cultural change" at FIFA after the plan faced global backlash and was scrapped on Saturday.

    2 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 1 August

  1. FIFA scraps World Cup private investment plan after global backlash

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino abandoned a proposed plan to allow private investment in the World Cup following widespread opposition, including from UEFA and other football stakeholders. The plan, which would have retained FIFA's majority share in a new entity while raising $4.2 billion, sparked a furious global backlash within days of being made public.

    1 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. FIFA studying 64-team World Cup expansion for 2030

    FIFA is considering expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition and plans to appoint an independent agency to assess the impact of this expansion on the tournament.

    1 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Trump denies speaking with FIFA chief about investor stakes

    U.S. President Donald Trump said he did not speak with FIFA President Gianni Infantino about FIFA's plan to create a $20 billion subsidiary and offer stakes of up to 20% to external investors. A vehicle founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump's son-in-law, is expected to lead the proposed investor group.

    1 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  4. FIFA scraps private investment plan after worldwide backlash

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the organization has abandoned a proposal to allow private investment in the World Cup following fierce opposition from football officials globally. The plan, floated on Tuesday, would have created a commercial subsidiary valued at $20 billion that could raise up to $4.2 billion.

    1 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  5. UK PM Burnham calls Infantino "wrong man" to lead FIFA

    British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Friday that Gianni Infantino was "the wrong man" to lead FIFA following the launch of a controversial plan to sell stakes in competitions to private investors, calling the proposal "an outrageous suggestion."

    1 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Friday 31 July

  1. FIFA private investment plan faces AFC opposition, senior advisor resigns

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino vowed to proceed with consultation on a proposed private investment plan for the World Cup despite opposition from the Asian Football Confederation, UEFA, and CONCACAF. Senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, stating he "cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup."

    31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. FIFA proposes $20 billion subsidiary to sell investor stakes

    FIFA plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise, a subsidiary bundling its money-making activities (broadcast rights, sponsorship, ticketing, licensing, event delivery) valued at around $20 billion, and would sell up to 20% stakes to outside investors while retaining majority control.

    31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. FIFA pursues private investor plan despite UEFA boycott threat

    FIFA said Friday it will proceed with stakeholder consultation on a proposed private investment plan, dismissing what it called "incorrect media reports." UEFA responded by threatening to boycott the World Cup if FIFA presses ahead, stating that no UEFA national teams will participate in FIFA competitions while the private ownership proposals remain.

    31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  4. UEFA threatens World Cup boycott over FIFA private investor plan

    UEFA said Thursday it would boycott the World Cup if FIFA proceeds with private investor proposals, stating that no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition unless the proposal is abandoned and FIFA gives binding assurances it will never open governance or competitions to private ownership.

    31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  5. FIFA's World Cup stake sale proposal sparks global football revolt

    FIFA has proposed selling a private stake in the World Cup, triggering escalating conflict within the global football community just 24 hours after the announcement.

    31 July 2026 · The Standard

  6. FIFA proceeds with private investor plan despite UEFA boycott threat

    FIFA said on Friday it would continue consulting member associations on a proposed private investment plan for World Cup operations, even as UEFA pledged to boycott the World Cup and CONCACAF's 41 member associations rejected the proposal. FIFA's plan could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a $20 billion valuation of its commercial subsidiary FFE.

    31 July 2026 · The Standard

  7. FIFA advisor Cordeiro resigns over World Cup privatization plan

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino's senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro resigned, opposing the organization's proposed private investment plan involving World Cup stakes. The Asian Football Confederation joined UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning the plan, noting that a World Cup boycott has entered public discourse.

    31 July 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 30 July

  1. FIFA president calls World Cup subsidiary proposal optional opportunity

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended a proposal to create a private subsidiary to commercialize the World Cup, characterizing it as "an opportunity but not an obligation" and arguing it would direct more football's commercial value to parts of the game that need it most.

    30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. CAF urges members to review FIFA's private investor plan

    The Confederation of African Football has called on its members to review FIFA's plan to sell stakes in major competitions including the World Cup through a new commercial subsidiary. FIFA aims to raise up to $4.2 billion by allowing private investors to acquire minority stakes in the entity.

    30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Blatter criticises FIFA plan to commercialise World Cup via subsidiary

    Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticised FIFA's plan to create a $20 billion subsidiary to run the World Cup, saying the tournament is not a commercial asset and warning that turning FIFA into a profit-oriented structure would cause it to lose its soul.

    30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  4. FIFA commercial plans could appeal to smaller nations

    FIFA's proposals to sell stakes in major competitions and create a commercial subsidiary have drawn criticism from UEFA, but football finance experts say smaller member associations could be attracted by significant funding gains, including a potential initial windfall of $20 million each.

    30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 29 July

  1. FIFA offers $40 million to nations backing competition commercialization

    FIFA has told member associations they will each receive $40 million if they back a plan to sell stakes in major competitions including the World Cup, with a September 19 deadline. The proposal has drawn criticism from UEFA and other bodies over commercializing major football events.

    29 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. CONCACAF, UEFA criticise FIFA's $4.2 billion investment plan

    CONCACAF followed UEFA in criticising FIFA's plans to sell a minority stake in its competitions, including the World Cup, through a semi-private subsidiary. FIFA said Tuesday it would retain a majority share in FIFA Forward Enterprise but hoped to raise $4.2 billion by selling minority, non-controlling interests to selected long-term investors.

    29 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. FIFA plans to sell $4.2bn stake in World Cup and tournaments

    FIFA announced plans to raise $4.2 billion by selling minority stakes in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a semi-private subsidiary that will control its World Cup and other competitions business operations, while retaining a majority share itself.

    29 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Gianni Infantino — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute