Infantino to Seek US Support in World Cup Privatisation Dispute

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is expected to appeal for support from members of the Trump administration during a call scheduled for midday UK time, according to sources. The move comes amid a heated dispute over controversial plans to privatise the World Cup and other FIFA competitions.

The call is believed to be an attempt to shore up political backing for Infantino's agenda, which has faced fierce opposition from European football's governing body, Uefa. The plans, which would have seen the commercial rights to FIFA tournaments sold off to private investors, were officially scrapped after Uefa threatened to boycott the World Cup and all FIFA events if the proposals were voted through.

Uefa's Boycott Threat Forces U-Turn

Infantino's decision to back down marks a significant reversal, following intense pressure from Uefa and other confederations. The threat of a boycott by Uefa, which includes some of the world's most powerful national teams and clubs, would have severely undermined the commercial value and credibility of FIFA's flagship tournaments.

The proposal, which had been floated as a way to generate additional revenue for FIFA, was met with widespread criticism from within the football community. Critics argued that privatising the World Cup would compromise the integrity of the sport and prioritise profit over the interests of fans and national associations.

Political Implications and Next Steps

The call with Trump cabinet members underscores the increasingly political nature of global football governance. Infantino has previously sought to build alliances with political leaders, including US President Donald Trump, as part of efforts to expand FIFA's influence and secure backing for his reform agenda.

It remains unclear what specific support Infantino is seeking from the US administration, or whether the call will have any bearing on the future of FIFA's commercial strategy. However, the timing of the call, coming just after the official scrapping of the privatisation plan, suggests that Infantino may be looking to reposition himself ahead of future negotiations.

The scrapping of the plan is seen as a victory for Uefa and its president, Aleksander Ceferin, who had led the opposition. The episode highlights the delicate balance of power within FIFA, where the interests of confederations and national associations must be weighed against the commercial ambitions of the organisation's leadership.

As the football world digests the latest development, attention will now turn to how FIFA plans to address its financial needs without resorting to controversial privatisation schemes. The organisation has not yet commented on the call or the next steps in its commercial strategy.