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Gone quiet · last update Oct 23, 2026 / FIFA

Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in the World Cup and the revolt at FIFA

Overview · reviewed October 28, 2026

In July 2026, after the World Cup held in North America, FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed selling private investors stakes in future World Cups, and abandoned the plan within days after European soccer's governing body, UEFA, threatened a boycott.[1][2][3] The episode set off a revolt against him: UEFA said it had lost confidence in Infantino and considered legal action, several national federations withdrew their support for his re-election, and fan groups called for him to resign.[4][5][6][7] Infantino is standing for another term, and in October the Asian Football Confederation endorsed him.[8][9]

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The episode set off a revolt against him: UEFA said it had lost confidence in Infantino and considered legal action, several national federations withdrew their support for his re-election, and fan groups called for him to resign.[4][5][6][7] Infantino is standing for another term, and in October the Asian Football Confederation endorsed him.[8][9]

Coverage over time

Share of tracked outlets · weekly (UTC)

Week of 2026-07-06 (UTC): 1%, 7 of 560 tracked outlets (3 left, 1 center, 3 right)Week of 2026-07-13 (UTC): 1%, 8 of 559 tracked outlets (2 left, 2 center, 4 right)Week of 2026-07-20 (UTC): 3%, 17 of 562 tracked outlets (2 left, 6 center, 9 right)Week of 2026-07-27 (UTC): 14%, 81 of 561 tracked outlets (20 left, 48 center, 13 right)Week of 2026-08-03 (UTC): 6%, 30 of 537 tracked outlets (7 left, 17 center, 6 right)Week of 2026-08-10 (UTC): 6%, 34 of 545 tracked outlets (3 left, 26 center, 5 right)Week of 2026-08-17 (UTC): 2%, 9 of 464 tracked outlets (3 left, 6 center, 0 right)Week of 2026-08-24 (UTC): 5%, 22 of 466 tracked outlets (5 left, 15 center, 2 right)Week of 2026-08-31 (UTC): 2%, 9 of 475 tracked outlets (3 left, 5 center, 1 right)Week of 2026-09-07 (UTC): under 1%, 1 of 480 tracked outlets (1 left, 0 center, 0 right)Week of 2026-09-14 (UTC): no coverage from tracked outletsWeek of 2026-09-21 (UTC): 1%, 5 of 479 tracked outlets (1 left, 4 center, 0 right)Week of 2026-09-28 (UTC): under 1%, 2 of 476 tracked outlets (1 left, 1 center, 0 right)Week of 2026-10-05 (UTC): no coverage from tracked outletsWeek of 2026-10-12 (UTC): 1%, 7 of 476 tracked outlets (3 left, 2 center, 2 right)Week of 2026-10-19 (UTC): 1%, 3 of 479 tracked outlets (1 left, 1 center, 1 right)Week of 2026-10-26 (UTC): no coverage from tracked outletsWeek of 2026-11-02 (UTC): no coverage from tracked outletsWeek of 2026-11-09 (UTC): no coverage from tracked outlets, so far

LeftCenterRightLighter bar: this week so far

Each bar is the share of the outlets on our Left / Center / Right rating scale that we tracked publishing that week which carried reporting on this story, split by the outlets' ratings. We track more outlets now than in the archive, so a share keeps earlier and later weeks comparable. An outlet counts once a week however much it published, and outlets in one ownership or syndication group count as one on each side they appear on. A rating describes the outlet, not the report. A gap means no such reports were collected that week, not that nothing was reported anywhere. Weeks run Monday to Sunday in UTC, so a report published on a Sunday evening in US Eastern time counts in the next week. 10 more outlets off the scale (not rated, or outside the left-right graphs) also reported; they are not in this chart. See them.

Weekly counts, outlets and reports (14 weeks with coverage)
Outlets on the rating scale that carried this story each week, of the outlets tracked that week, newest first
Week of (UTC)LeftCenterRightOf trackedShareReceipts
Oct 19, 20261113 of 4791%
Oct 12, 20263227 of 4761%
Sep 28, 20261102 of 476under 1%
Sep 21, 20261405 of 4791%
Sep 7, 20261001 of 480under 1%
Aug 31, 20263519 of 4752%
Aug 24, 2026515222 of 4665%
Aug 17, 20263609 of 4642%
Aug 10, 2026326534 of 5456%
Aug 3, 2026717630 of 5376%
Jul 27, 202620481381 of 56114%
Jul 20, 202626917 of 5623%
Jul 13, 20262248 of 5591%
Jul 6, 20263137 of 5601%

Latest coverage

The newest reporting in this story's record.

  1. Oct 22, 2026 · first reported · Headline from WFMZ Allentown

    Infantino says he's supported by 'vast, vast majority' of soccer ahead of FIFA elections

Background

Gianni Infantino's closeness to President Donald Trump drew criticism during the 2026 World Cup. Trump said he personally called Infantino before FIFA reversed a one-game suspension of a US player,[10] a move expected to draw a formal complaint,[11] and the New York Post reported that Trump wanted Infantino as the next UN secretary-general.[12] La Liga's president said Infantino should resign for expanding international competitions,[13] and a week after the final Infantino attacked critics for "spreading hate and false rumors."[14] The tournament itself is followed in the arc on the knockout rounds.

Read the full background (2 more paragraphs)

At the end of July it emerged that FIFA planned to sell private stakes in coming World Cups, a plan that drew backlash from fans and soccer leaders.[1] Asia's confederation said FIFA must urgently review it,[15] UEFA's 55 member associations voted to boycott the World Cup if it went ahead,[2] and a senior FIFA adviser who had sat on the White House World Cup task force resigned in protest.[16] On July 31 Infantino said, "This proposal will not proceed."[17][3]

The fight continued after the plan was dropped. UEFA said it had lost confidence in Infantino,[4] considered legal action against him and others behind the plan,[5] and kept its boycott threat even after FIFA apologized,[18] before moving in late August to drop it.[19] Sweden, Wales, France and Switzerland withdrew support for his re-election,[6][20][21] while six Arab federations backed him.[22] FIFA said in September that Infantino would stand again,[8] Europe's four main leagues called for sweeping reforms,[23] and FIFA accused UEFA of a "misinformation campaign."[24] In October Infantino apologized to critics without offering new documents,[25] UEFA demanded key governance documents by November 2,[26] and the Asian confederation endorsed him.[9]

Supporting stories (26)
  1. FIFA scraps controversial $20 billion World Cup investment plan
  2. Top FIFA executive resigns over controversial World Cup sell-off plan
  3. Senior FIFA official resigns over Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan. Second says it deceived staff
  4. European soccer declares loss of confidence in FIFA chief over ’shabby’ private financing plan
  5. UEFA says it has lost confidence in FIFA's Infantino after failed private equity plan for World Cup
  6. Serbia, Sweden follow Wales in withdrawing support for Infantino re-election
  7. Soccer fans launch global petition urging FIFA boss Infantino to resign over World Cup 'betrayal'
  8. Fifa president Infantino will stand for re-election
  9. Infantino says he's supported by 'vast, vast majority' of soccer ahead of FIFA elections
  10. FIFA's Infantino targeted by complaint to Olympic ethics body after Trump lobbying on Balogun ban
  11. Trump role in World Cup red-card ruling for Balogun pushes Norway toward FIFA ethics complaint
  12. Trump wants to nominate FIFA boss Gianni Infantino for UN secretary general following World Cup
  13. Tebas: Infantino should resign for 'destroying the football industry'
  14. FIFA's Infantino targets critics he says spread 'hate and false rumors' about World Cup
  15. European football vows to boycott World Cups if FIFA brings in private investors
  16. FIFA adviser on White House Task Force for World Cup, Carlos Cordeiro, resigns in protest at private equity plan
  17. FIFA chief Infantino abandons World Cup sell-off plans after backlash
  18. UEFA maintains World Cup boycott threat after Gianni Infantino’s crisis meeting
  19. UEFA set to drop boycott threat, handing FIFA some breathing room, per AP
  20. France withdraws support for Infantino in FIFA presidential election
  21. Gianni Infantino loses support of his home nation Switzerland for FIFA presidential campaign
  22. FIFA chief Infantino receives support from 6 Arab federations amid revolt over World Cup plan
  23. Top European leagues demand FIFA reforms, piling pressure on Infantino
  24. Fifa accuses Uefa of 'misinformation campaign'
  25. At showdown FIFA meeting, Infantino apologizes for World Cup furor but leaves critics unhappy
  26. Uefa gives Infantino two-week deadline to release key documents

The full record

Each date is when an update was first reported.

All 42 recorded updates

October 2026

  1. Infantino says he's supported by 'vast, vast majority' of soccer ahead of FIFA electionsHeadline from Philadelphia Inquirer · 5 outlets
  2. Uefa gives Infantino two-week deadline to release key documentsHeadline from BBC News · 3 outlets
  3. Is FIFA scrapping its peace prize after awarding it to US President Trump?Headline from Al Jazeera · 5 outlets
  4. At showdown FIFA meeting, Infantino apologizes for World Cup furor but leaves critics unhappyHeadline from Philadelphia Inquirer · 6 outlets

September 2026

  1. Gianni Infantino loses support of his home nation Switzerland for FIFA presidential campaignHeadline from Philadelphia Inquirer · 3 outlets
  2. Fifa accuses Uefa of 'misinformation campaign'Headline from BBC News · 5 outlets
  3. Top European leagues demand FIFA reforms, piling pressure on InfantinoHeadline from France 24 · 6 outlets
  4. Infantino says he is open to Fifa reformHeadline from BBC News · 8 outlets
  5. France withdraws support for Infantino in FIFA presidential electionHeadline from France 24 · 5 outlets
  6. Fifa president Infantino will stand for re-electionHeadline from BBC News · 11 outlets
  7. FIFA blasts UEFA ‘smear campaign,’ fights World Cup plan disclosuresHeadline from Al Jazeera · 7 outlets

August 2026

  1. UEFA preparing criminal complaint against FIFA leader Gianni InfantinoHeadline from CBS News · 17 outlets
  2. UEFA set to drop boycott threat, handing FIFA some breathing room, per APHeadline from KRDO · 16 outlets
  3. ‘We should support him:’ Gianni Infantino clings on to FIFA power and former soccer great Samuel Eto’o wants him to stayHeadline from KTVZ Bend · 6 outlets
  4. UEFA president Ceferin says he won't run against FIFA president but calls for Infantino to quitHeadline from Philadelphia Inquirer · 6 outlets
  5. Infantino defies FIFA vice president by going to youth event in Caribbean amid global soccer riftHeadline from WFMZ Allentown · 7 outlets
  6. Soccer fans launch global petition urging FIFA boss Infantino to resign over World Cup 'betrayal'Headline from Philadelphia Inquirer · 5 outlets
  7. A top official leaves FIFA, deepening the fallout from Infantino’s World Cup sell-off planHeadline from Philadelphia Inquirer · 8 outlets
  8. FIFA chief Infantino receives support from 6 Arab federations amid revolt over World Cup planHeadline from Green Field Reporter · 11 outlets
  9. UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC accuse Gianni Infantino of 'fundamental breach of trust'Headline from France 24 · 40 outlets
  10. UEFA maintains World Cup boycott threat after Gianni Infantino’s crisis meetingHeadline from Daily Journal · 18 outlets
  11. Serbia, Sweden follow Wales in withdrawing support for Infantino re-electionHeadline from Hawaiitribune Herald · 4 outlets
  12. Gianni Infantino gets internal support at crisis meeting to remain as FIFA presidentHeadline from Winchester Star · 9 outlets
  13. European soccer declares loss of confidence in FIFA chief over ’shabby’ private financing planHeadline from KVIA El Paso · 6 outlets
  14. UEFA says it's lost confidence in FIFA's Infantino after failed private equity planHeadline from Philadelphia Inquirer · 5 outlets

Coverage & sources

Read the reports, see how much was collected over time, or compare outlets by political leaning.

Coverage & sources →