Two Weeks After the Richest World Cup Ever, Infantino’s Plan to Sell Off a Chunk of It Blew Up His Re-Election

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the red carpet at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw in Washington, D.C.
REUTERS/Brian Snyder

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was supposed to cruise to re-election. Instead, a proposal to sell part of the World Cup to outside investors turned his path to victory into a fight.

Two weeks after the richest World Cup ever, Infantino’s plan to sell off a chunk of it blew up his re-election.

He wanted to sell 20% of the World Cup to private investors. Instead he got a UEFA boycott, two resignations from his inner circle, and a re-election he was supposed to win in a walk.

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