A $4.2 Billion Deal, a Trump Prize and a FIFA Power Struggle: What Is Infantino Facing?

FIFA president Gianni Infantino faced mounting pressure from football leaders as the governing body's 37-member Council met amid controversy over a collapsed $4.2 billion investment proposal, governance concerns and his ties to US President Donald Trump.

The meeting marked Infantino's first encounter with FIFA's top officials since his plan to sell a permanent 20% stake in a proposed commercial-rights subsidiary to private investors led by Joshua Kushner was withdrawn. The proposed business would manage commercial rights to the World Cup and Club World Cup tournaments.

The plan was linked to a proposed $20 million payment to each of FIFA's 211 member associations that approved the deal by a September deadline. Critics questioned why FIFA needed private investment when it already held billions of dollars in reserves.

European football's governing body, UEFA, and its allies argued that FIFA could instead distribute a one-time $10 million payment to each association from its existing reserves. UEFA also sought US court authorisation to obtain evidence from FIFA and Kushner's investment firm for a possible criminal complaint in Switzerland. FIFA rejected the move, accusing UEFA of conducting a smear campaign.

Infantino was expected to propose an additional $15 million per association for the 2027-2030 commercial cycle, on top of $10 million already promised. The proposal could influence support ahead of FIFA's 2027 presidential election.

The Council's agenda also included FIFA's disciplinary procedures and governance standards, alongside scrutiny of Infantino's decision to award Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw in Washington in December 2025.

The Norwegian Football Federation lodged formal complaints with FIFA's ethics and governance officials over the award. Questions have also emerged over disciplinary decisions involving Cristiano Ronaldo and US forward Folarin Balogun, as well as reports that Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi played four qualifying matches while ineligible.

With the presidential election approaching, the controversy has intensified questions over financial transparency, political neutrality and the concentration of power within FIFA.