Top FIFA executives distance themselves from Infantino’s failed World Cup sell-off

Less than two weeks after overseeing one of the most financially successful World Cups in history, FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces an existential threat to his leadership as senior executives publicly turn against him and UEFA pursues legal action over his abandoned plan to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors.

On Tuesday, two of FIFA's most senior figures — coaching legend Arsène Wenger and Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom — distanced themselves from their boss. Wenger said in a statement that dropping the proposal was "absolutely necessary and beyond question," adding that he "was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports." Grafstrom, in an internal staff email obtained by Sky News and seen by the Associated Press, described the episode as "a sad and reproachable series of events" that created "turmoil which is difficult to comprehend and accept."espn+3

The Unraveling

Infantino's scheme, revealed last Tuesday by The Times of London, proposed creating a subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise valued at $20 billion, which would control the governing body's commercial and tournament operations through at least 2038. It aimed to raise $4.2 billion by selling roughly 20 percent to private investors, with the anchor investor being Thrive Eternal, a firm launched by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner. Each of FIFA's 211 member federations was offered a one-time payment of $20 million to accept by a September 19 deadline.latimes+2

Infantino withdrew the plan early Saturday after UEFA's 55 member federations voted unanimously to boycott all FIFA competitions while it remained active. FIFA's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour called it "the project of one person" and said staff had been "deceived."aljazeera+2

Legal Threats and Continental Fault Lines

UEFA confirmed Tuesday that a document preservation letter has been served to FIFA, naming 18 executives — including Infantino, CFO Thomas Peyer, and Wenger — and warning that destruction of relevant materials could constitute spoliation of evidence. The letter, from the firm Dechert in New York, states UEFA is "actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints."fox5dc+1

CONCACAF called for "a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency," while UEFA said Infantino had lost the confidence of world football. The Swedish football federation confirmed Monday that UEFA is actively seeking an alternative candidate for the March presidential election.aljazeera+1

Africa Offers a Lifeline

Yet Infantino retains hope through his traditional base. Leading African football administrators, including CAF Vice President Fouzi Lekjaa of Morocco and FIFA Council members from Egypt, Niger, and Mauritania, have issued statements of support ahead of a CAF executive committee meeting Thursday. Many African federations depend heavily on FIFA funding — each member receives $8 million over a four-year cycle — and Infantino's promises to increase that money have cemented loyalties.reuters

"Our problem is how to obtain money. Right now, we have no sponsors," said Saïd Ali Athouman, president of the Comoros Football Federation.reuters

With UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation representing nearly 140 of FIFA's 211 members, Infantino faces a narrow path to the 106 votes needed for re-election. The candidate deadline is November 18 for a vote scheduled in Morocco next March.latimes+1