this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2026
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Europe

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[–] progandy@feddit.org 30 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

If the clubs and country associations stand behind it they can simply make a new world championship, no need to keep using the FIFA...

[–] thisislieven@europe.pub 18 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (4 children)

My guess:

  1. UEFA says no.
  2. UEFA says really, really no.
  3. EU issues warning.
  4. FIFA says yes.
  5. UEFA says yes.
  6. EU says nothing.
[–] Melchior@feddit.org 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Selling the world cup would give FIFA a one time payment and then less income forever. UEFA members have enough money to make themself work, so there is no need for that. The cup is also the biggest sporting even in a single sport. So more investment is not going to make more money.

The only one to really benefit from this is Gianni Infantino, as he probably gets paid a lot for that sale.

[–] tardigrade@scribe.disroot.org 14 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

The only one to really benefit from this is Gianni Infantino, as he probably gets paid a lot for that sale.

I agree he will benefit. But Gianni Infantino wouldn't likely be the only one to benefit, though.

The lead investor for the FIFA subsidiary is reportedly Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law.

The two brothers are said to be close. Their father, property investor Charles Kushner, pleaded guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations, but was pardoned in 2020 by Trump, shortly before the end of Trump's first term. Today, Charles Kushner is U.S. Ambassador to France.

An interesting detail here is that Joshua Kushner is known to donate high sums to politicians from the Democratic Party. His wife, the model Karlie Kloss, recently attended an event linked to former (Democratic) U.S. President Barack Obama, and she previously said that she never met and didn't vote for Trump.

[Edit typo.]

[–] oneser@lemmy.zip 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I'm not sure on this one. Ceferin seemed really pissed at the end of the world cup with the whole situation... Maybe because they aren't getting enough of the pie?

But considerin UEFA managed to kill the "super league" a few years ago, I'd imagine this has a bit of weight to it... Let's see.

[–] thisislieven@europe.pub 8 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Honestly, football isn't my thing but from the little reporting I saw UEFA (and others) came out swinging against this but the next day the tone was already considerably different.

The single fact that Infantino seems to have widespread support, also in Europe, for a third term to me basically tells the whole story. From the countries that were awarded the tournament in recent history, to the 'Today I am' speech, the FIFA Peace Prize, the influence from Trump... somehow that's acceptable.

FIFA was incredibly corrupt, people got charged and somehow the next guy is even more corrupt.

So yeah, I have little hope.

[–] oneser@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] thisislieven@europe.pub 2 points 1 week ago

Hrm...

I may have miscalculated this. Technically we're still only at step 2 as I proposed it but with the North American and Asian equivalents of UEFA also against it, UEFA on a strike of sorts and people seemingly real mad at Infantino that might be the last step after all.

It'd be real funny if this caused the ouster of Infantino and he won't even get a third term.

Still, I am not yet 100% convinced it won't happen, or in some watered down version perhaps.

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

UEFA is the main powerhouse of global football. If they boycott it, the World Cup loses almost all its value. Thats a different thing to voting for FIFA president, where each association gets one vote so a candidate can cheaply buy the loyalty of a few African and South American associations and get into office.

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 1 points 1 week ago

Nah, this is a red line for UEFA. It would put the World Cup at the hands of profit making, which would hurt UEFA members.

[–] roserose56@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago

I'm gonna say this, and I hope that I'm right, Ceferin is a wise guy, he wont say yes. fingers crossed.

[–] Kennystillalive@feddit.org 17 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] lagoon8622@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 week ago

The only honest politician on the planet

[–] ChicoSuave@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago

Privatization is a curse, the burden of profitability over any other aspect. FIFA events were already outrageously priced, best prepare for the death of football on the world stage as fans are slowly pushed away or repulsed.

[–] eestileib@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 week ago

Ha I'm way ahead of UEFA on this one.

[2008] One year earlier, the Polish sports ministry also made an attempt to address corruption within the Polish Football Association, but was threatened with suspension by FIFA, which forbids any form of government intervention.
link

FIFA is a different world

[–] CAVOK@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] You@feddit.org 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Colour me surprised by this vote

[–] Sir_Ious@feddit.org 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

Same, but unironically so. I thought all major sports bodies (IOC, FIFA, UEFA, ...) were deeply corrupt. So... what gives? Did they forget to bribe UEFA officials?

[–] You@feddit.org 1 points 1 week ago

No irony from me either. After having thought about it, I wont rule out the possibility that the UEFA boycott is also motivated by financial considerations.

[–] gian@lemmy.grys.it 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Did they forget to bribe UEFA officials?

Reading the article, it seems he forget to bribe everyone, not only UEFA officials...

[–] Sir_Ious@feddit.org 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

It's puzzling, isn't it? A man like Gianni Infantino would rather forget how breathing works rather than forgetting how corruption works.

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 1 points 1 week ago

They forgot to even tell UEFA this was happening.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Why sell off shares if they have billions from the worldcup? Which leverge does the US have to make Infantino propose the deal?

[–] JensSpahnpasta@feddit.org 16 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

From another article:

Infantino is plotting a scheme whereby Fifa would retain majority control of a new enterprise, and the rest would be sold, partly to each of Fifa’s 211 national associations should they wish to invest, and partly to private investment. The plan could potentially see Infantino installed as the β€œcommissioner” of the World Cup when his Fifa presidency finally ends in 2031, a position that would prove extremely lucrative, according to The Times .

He has to step down as Fifa president in 2031, so he wants to privatize the lucrative parts to himself