Browsing: FIFA

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has now scrapped plans to inject private money into upcoming World Cup tournaments. Eduardo Verdugo/AP/File

Pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his divisive plan to sell World Cup profits to private equity grew Friday as his senior adviser who sat on a White House panel resigned and Asia’s soccer body joined Europe and North America in opposing it

Every major European national soccer team threatened Thursday to collectively boycott competitions organized by global soccer’s nonprofit governing body FIFA over plans by the federation to sell off a minority stake in the World Cup tournament to private investors. 

European countries have agreed to boycott all Fifa competitions if Gianni Infantino pushes forward with his proposals to sell chunks of the World Cup to US-based private investment

FIFA lodged disciplinary charges against two Argentina players Wednesday for striking Spain opponents moments after the World Cup final and charged Argentina’s soccer federation for players showing a political banner about the Falkland Islands after beating England in the semifinals

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has set a September 19 deadline for the 211 member federations to accept one-off $20m offers as part of a project to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors

A major row has broken out between football’s governing bodies over FIFA’s plans to seek private investment in the World Cup, with UEFA reacting angrily and European nations ready to discuss a potential boycott

FIFA has proposed a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other events to private investors, provoking a furious response from the European football governing body, UEFA

President Donald Trump, left, speaks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as confetti falls at the conclusion of the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. /Jacquelyn Martin)

International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino has hit back at critics of the 2026 World Cup, accusing them of spreading hate and false narratives while defending the tournament as a success that celebrated ⁠”happiness, unity, safety and togetherness”