FIFA Storm: Gianni Infantino Is Growing Increasingly Isolated; Donald Trump Takes Everyone by Surprise

The revelations in *The Times* a few days ago have exposed a deep rift in the governance of world soccer. The plan, under which Gianni Infantino, on behalf of FIFA, would like to transfer a portion of the World Cup’s value to private investors (including Joshua Kushner, Jared’s brother and thus connected to the family of U.S. President Donald Trump) has triggered a political and institutional earthquake that is increasingly isolating the Swiss executive of Italian origin.

The letter sent by Infantino himself to the 211 national associations—a communication with an ultimatum-like tone issued the day after Spain’s victory in the final on July 19—invited each national association to express, by September 19, their opinion on a $20 billion plan that calls for the creation of a new company controlled by FIFA but 20% owned by external investors, including the Kushners’ Thrive Capital fund, with the promise of access to a total funding package of $10 billion.

The majority of the continental confederations oppose not only the proposal but also the way the project is being developed: Aleksander Ceferin, president of UEFA, has spearheaded an initiative to boycott FIFA events—the World Cup foremost among them—should the proposal not be withdrawn. There is also unrest within FIFA itself: Carlos Cordeiro, one of Infantino’s longtime advisors, has resigned, and even FIFA’s COO, Kevin Lamour, has distanced himself from the president.

Many were also wondering what Trump’s actual role was in the matter, given his ties to Infantino. During a press conference, the U.S. president simply replied “No” when asked if he had spoken with Infantino about the project. That single syllable carries significant weight, as it comes at a time when people very close to him are being identified as key figures in the operation. Trump’s public distancing—at least on the surface—leaves Infantino even more exposed in the midst of the storm.