FIFA official resigns amid backlash over World Cup investment plan
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 31, 2026, 6:05 PM
Last updated Jul 31, 2026
A senior adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino resigned on July 31, protesting a controversial $20 billion privatization plan for the FIFA World Cup. The Asian Football Confederation expressed concerns over the proposal, which aims to attract private investment into FIFA's key competitions. This follows condemnation from UEFA and CONCACAF, citing a lack of transparency in the decision-making process. Infantino's initiative includes creating a subsidiary partly owned by private investors, stirring significant opposition among FIFA's member organizations.
- •Carlos Cordeiro resigned, calling the investment plan 'a bad deal for football'.
- •Asian Football Confederation voiced solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF against the proposal.
- •FIFA stands firm on pursuing the $20 billion FIFA Forward Enterprise project.
- •Concerns over the quick timeline and process for the privatization plan were raised by several confederations.
- •Cordeiro's departure intensifies scrutiny of Infantino's leadership amid rising dissent.
- 6:05 PMThe Guardian Sport — Infantino under huge pressure after plan for World Cup sell-off sparks resignation and rebuke
- 12:07 PMYahoo Sports — FIFA official resigns in protest of World Cup investment plan
- 9:53 AMAl Jazeera English — FIFA World Cup plan fallout: Infantino’s senior adviser, Cordeiro, resigns - Al Jazeera
"Cordeiro quits as senior adviser to Fifa president Lamour: sell-off plan ‘defies belief and imagination’ The walls started closing in on Gianni Infantino after another dramatic day that saw one of his senior advisers resign and brought a scathing rebuke from Fifa’s own chief operating officer. Infantino is under huge pressure after his plan to sell chunks of the World Cup to private investors met a tide of opposition from around the globe. European countries have already promised to boycott Fifa competitions if he does not shelve the scheme but Friday’s developments, which saw two key members of his inner circle distance themselves from him, may prove equally damaging to any prospects of salvaging his presidency. Continue reading...
"The pressure is rising on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ditch a $20 billion privatization plan, but soccer's governing body is doubling down and criticizing the media.
"Pressure is growing on FIFA and its President Gianni Infantino following proposals for private investment in World Cups.
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportJul 31, 2026, 6:05 PMInfantino under huge pressure after plan for World Cup sell-off sparks resignation and rebuke
Cordeiro quits as senior adviser to Fifa president Lamour: sell-off plan ‘defies belief and imagination’ The walls started closing in on Gianni Infantino after another dramatic day that saw one of his senior advisers resign and brought a scathing rebuke from Fifa’s own chief operating officer. Infantino is under huge pressure after his plan to sell chunks of the World Cup to private investors met a tide of opposition from around the globe. European countries have already promised to boycott Fifa competitions if he does not shelve the scheme but Friday’s developments, which saw two key members of his inner circle distance themselves from him, may prove equally damaging to any prospects of salvaging his presidency. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJul 31, 2026, 12:07 PMFIFA official resigns in protest of World Cup investment plan
The pressure is rising on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ditch a $20 billion privatization plan, but soccer's governing body is doubling down and criticizing the media.
- Al Jazeera EnglishJul 31, 2026, 9:53 AMFIFA World Cup plan fallout: Infantino’s senior adviser, Cordeiro, resigns - Al Jazeera
Pressure is growing on FIFA and its President Gianni Infantino following proposals for private investment in World Cups.
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