Prime Minister Andy Burnham has publicly denounced Gianni Infantino, calling him "the wrong man" to head FIFA, a statement that adds fresh pressure on the governing body’s president after a senior adviser walked away in protest over Infantino's contentious commercial scheme. Burnham’s criticism was sparked by FIFA’s proposal to sell stakes in its flagship competitions—including the World Cup—to private investors. When the plan first emerged, Burnham slammed the idea, and on Friday he reiterated his disapproval, saying: "The fact that such a proposal could even be tabled shows, in my view, that he is the wrong man to lead the organisation." His remarks came on the heels of a united front from three of football’s continental confederations. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined forces with UEFA and CONCACAF to voice opposition, urging FIFA to launch an urgent review of its governance structures.
The AFC’s statement went further, suggesting that the current moment should serve as a catalyst for deeper institutional reform and calling for transparent, timely consultation on any proposal that could reshape the sport’s future. The internal dissent within FIFA deepened when Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to Infantino and a former banker with lifelong passion for the game, tendered his resignation. In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Cordeiro described the privatization plan as "a bad deal for football" and warned it would jeopardise the sport’s long‑term future.
He emphasized his lack of involvement in the proposal, stating unequivocally that he opposed it. "As a senior advisor to the FIFA president, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup," he said. "Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally." The fallout did not stop there. Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s chief operating officer, later told the Associated Press that staff members felt "deceived" by Infantino’s opaque handling of the plan.
Lamour argued that employees deserve respect rather than "contempt and intimidation" and labeled the World Cup initiative as "the project of one person," urging football leaders to intervene before the situation escalates further. FIFA attempted to calm the storm early on Friday by issuing a statement that insisted "nobody is selling football." The organization claimed the media had misrepresented its intentions and reaffirmed a commitment to an open, democratic consultation process. According to the statement, the proposed entity—FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE)—was designed to give every member association a chance to own a slice of the commercial opportunities generated by football in their own countries, without compromising the sport’s spirit or governance. "Nobody is selling football.
This is not something FIFA would ever entertain," the statement read. The controversy has also drawn in political figures.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, while hosting a cabinet meeting at Camp David, was asked whether he had spoken with Infantino about the plan.
He responded, "No, I never spoke to him," denying any direct discussion. The plan’s primary investor, Thrive Eternal, a firm founded by Joshua Kushner—brother of Trump’s former son‑in‑law Jared Kushner—has so far declined to comment publicly.
European football’s governing body, UEFA, responded with a firm stance, declaring that its 55 member associations would not take part in any FIFA tournament until the proposal is withdrawn. The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), representing 41 nations, echoed this sentiment, stating it "rejected the proposal" outright. Both bodies warned that the commercial drive behind the plan could lead to larger, more frequent tournaments, further crowding domestic calendars and undermining the traditional structure of the sport. The AFC, which had previously been a strong supporter of Infantino—its president Sheikh Salman finished second to Infantino in the 2016 FIFA presidential election—has now signaled a shift.
In its statement, the AFC called for a comprehensive review of FIFA’s decision‑making framework, emphasizing that genuine democracy involves not only voting rights but also transparent governance, timely consultation, and meaningful participation throughout the decision‑making process. Inside FIFA, the reaction appears increasingly hostile. Sky Sports News commentator Kaveh Solhekol described the situation as a "catastrophic error of judgment" for Infantino, suggesting that the president could face an imminent loss of his position.
Solhekol noted that many FIFA employees share the outrage of ordinary fans, feeling blindsided by the secretive plan to partially privatise the World Cup. He warned that if Infantino refuses to step down, a vote of no confidence could be called at an emergency congress, provided 20 percent of the 211 member associations back it.
Looking ahead, the pressure on Infantino is mounting on multiple fronts. The next FIFA presidential election, scheduled for next year, is likely to see serious challengers if the current controversy is not resolved. Meanwhile, the broader football community—players, fans, administrators, and even political leaders—are watching closely to see whether FIFA will heed the calls for transparency and democratic governance, or whether it will push forward with a plan that many view as a dangerous commodification of the sport’s most treasured competition.
In summary, the combination of high‑profile resignations, unified opposition from major confederations, and public condemnation from political figures has placed Gianni Infantino in a precarious position. The outcome of this saga will not only determine the future of the World Cup’s ownership structure but could also reshape the very governance model of world football for years to come.