According to The Mirror, FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s ambitious plan to establish a $20 billion subsidiary by selling stakes in the World Cup has been met with a resounding rejection from major football bodies, including Concacaf, England, and UEFA. The proposal, intended to run the iconic tournament and other events, has ignited fresh controversy around Infantino’s leadership, particularly following the recent World Cup across the US, Mexico, and Canada.

As reported by The Mirror, the audacious scheme, which also saw Jared Kushner, son-in-law to former US President Donald Trump, emerge as one of its backers, aims to further commercialize football’s biggest competition. However, the backlash has been swift and united. Concacaf, representing 41 Member Associations, along with the US Soccer Federation, have explicitly opposed the proposal. England and UEFA have also made it clear they will not support the plans, signalling widespread resistance from some of football’s most influential stakeholders. When asked whether he had discussed the matter with Infantino, Trump told reporters: “No, I never spoke to him.” The comment came despite the pair’s well-documented relationship during the 2026 World Cup.

Concacaf’s decisive stand

The Mirror reports that Concacaf’s rejection followed a meeting of its Member Associations, where serious concerns were raised over both the process and the proposal itself. In an official statement, the confederation stressed that it is “founded on service, transparent governance, and the long-term stewardship of football.”

Among Concacaf’s key concerns were:

Read also: Leaked memo from FIFA secretary general is more bad news for Infantino

• A lack of due process surrounding the proposal.

• An artificially short deadline for consideration.

• No review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies.

“During the meeting, the membership expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies,” the statement read.

Concacaf also questioned why FIFA would require private equity investment to expand its FIFA Forward programmes after staging what it described as “the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history.” The confederation has therefore rejected the proposed “FIFA Forward Enterprise” and instructed its FIFA Council members to:

• Engage with FIFA over using existing financial reserves to increase FIFA Forward funding across the region.

• Ensure any future proposals follow the governance procedures set out in the FIFA Statutes.

According to The Mirror, the failed proposal represents another major setback for Infantino, whose presidency has already come under increasing scrutiny following criticism over ticket prices, travel restrictions during the World Cup, and broader concerns about FIFA’s governance. The united opposition from major football organisations highlights growing demands for greater transparency and accountability at the top of world football.

Read also: Luke Littler makes major decision: Puts his darts away after historic World Matchplay

Read also: Palestine FA slams FIFA's "double standards" amid Gaza conflict and governance concerns