FIFA boss Infantino could make tens of millions as he hatches plan to sell World Cup shares

News

FT Desk

FIFA President Gianni Infantino plans to sell some shares in the World Cup to private investors in a move that could earn him tens of millions of dollars, according to The Times.

Infantino is finding himself under increasing scrutiny in his role at FIFA following the 2026 World Cup, which highlighted to the world his close relationship with United States President Donald Trump.

The relationship between the pair is making many uneasy, as FIFA is supposed to remain a politically neutral organisation.

Infantino's decision to give Trump the FIFA 'Peace Prize' in December was seen as a way to massage the politician's ego, while the Folarin Balogun fiasco, which saw FIFA intervene to overturn the player's red card so he could play against Belgium, was seen as the most egregious offence committed.

He is already the subject of a complaint by the Norwegian FA and has been summoned to the House Judiciary Committee in the US due to his relationship with Trump.

Infantino risks further scrutiny with the plan to sell his FIFA World Cup shares.

Under the plan, a new commercial company would be established to oversee FIFA's flagship men's and women's World Cups, as well as the Club World Cup. Critics believe such a structure could increase pressure to expand the tournaments further or stage them more frequently than their current four-year cycle.

According to two people familiar with the discussions, individuals with close ties to the Trump administration have been consulted during the planning process. Separate sources identified Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the leading prospective investor, with JP Morgan also viewed as a key financial backer.

Sources further claim that Infantino is expected to take charge of the new company as commissioner once his final term as Fifa president comes to an end. He is currently on course to remain in office until 2031 after standing unopposed for re-election.

The proposal would also allocate an ownership stake to each of FIFA's 211 member associations. Those shares could be worth around $20 million (£15 million) apiece, giving national federations the option of retaining them or selling them to generate additional revenue.

Under the selling proposals, FIFA would own the majority of this new commercial company, private investors would own up to 30% initially, while the 211 member associations would own 20% while retaining the option to sell those shares.

According to the Times, senior figures in football described the plans as a "nuclear bomb" on the game.

There are concerns that private investors would push to maximise revenue by hosting the World Cup more often, with more teams, in more commercially lucrative nations.

The salary for Infantino's chief executive role has not been confirmed but it could be akin to that of the NFL commissioner, who makes $64m a year, which is 10 times what he earns at FIFA currently.

Upon initially receiving the FIFA Presidency, Infantino received a base salary of $1.5 million but he was also eligible for a number of allowances and bonuses. This has quadrupled in a decade.

According to a tax declaration for the 2024, he earned $6.13m, as reported by Lemonde:

A breakdown of the salary reads:

- $2.954 million base salary

- $1.874 million in bonuses

- $1.148 million in "other reportable compensation"

- $155,000 in "retirement and other deferred compensation"

That was before the undoubted bonuses that will come following the 2026 World Cup.