FIFA Senior Adviser Steps Down Over World Cup Privatization Proposal
Wertynews.com – Carlos Cordeiro, a longtime confidant of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has formally resigned from his position as senior adviser. The departure comes as a direct protest against a controversial $20 billion commercial subsidiary plan backed by Joshua Kushner’s New York investment firm. Cordeiro described the proposal as “a bad deal for football” and emphasized that he had no prior involvement in the secretive investment scheme.
Widespread Opposition from Soccer’s Governing Bodies
The privatization initiative has encountered significant resistance from multiple football organizations worldwide. On Friday, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced it was monitoring the creation of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) with “deep concern.” The AFC joined UEFA and CONCACAF in voicing serious reservations about introducing private capital into FIFA’s premier competitions and altering decision-making structures around the FFE fund.
“The AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing serious concerns over FIFA’s proposal to introduce private investment into FIFA’s flagship competitions and the decision-making process around FFE,” the Asian Football Confederation said in a statement.
CONCACAF, which represents North American teams including those from the United States and Mexico, issued its own statement on Thursday. The organization highlighted concerns regarding insufficient due process, an artificially compressed deadline, and the lack of review by appropriate FIFA governance bodies. Additionally, CONCACAF questioned the necessity of external funding “following the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history.”
The Secret Project Revealed
Infantino’s initiative was unveiled on Tuesday, revealing plans to separate commercial operations into a new subsidiary. Under this arrangement, private investors would hold a 20% stake in the $20 billion FFE entity. The primary investor is a New York-based investment company established by Joshua Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump and is the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump.
FIFA has maintained that “Nobody is selling football,” despite the substantial privatization effort. The governing body also attributed disruptions to its consultation process to inaccurate media coverage, asserting that it would continue moving forward to allow each member to cast their vote based on factual information.
A Successful World Cup Amid Growing Tensions
The controversy emerges against the backdrop of a highly successful World Cup tournament. Hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the event attracted record-breaking attendance and viewership figures. Visitors universally praised the host cities and venues, which accommodated over 100 matches spanning more than a month of competition.
On July 19, Spain claimed its second World Cup title by defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at New York’s MetLife Stadium. Despite this triumph, FIFA now faces opposition from a majority of its 211 member associations regarding the privatization plan.
Cordeiro’s Resignation Deepens the Crisis
Cordeiro’s departure represents an expanding crisis for soccer’s governing body. A former Goldman Sachs banker and ex-president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, Cordeiro has frequently accompanied Infantino on official visits to the White House to meet with President Trump. He also participated in meetings of the administration’s World Cup task force, which was headed by Andrew Guiliani.
“Let me be clear. I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally,” said Cordeiro, the former U.S. Soccer Federation president.
In his resignation statement, Cordeiro declared that he “cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup.” He has also urged other senior staff members to voice their positions publicly, intensifying scrutiny on Infantino’s leadership and the direction of the organization.
