Gianni Infantino's right-hand man quits in protest of Trump-linked World Cup sale

Oscar Maung-Haley Fri, July 31, 2026 at 10:18 AM UTC

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Carlos Cordeiro has quit FIFA -Credit:Getty Images

Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, has quit the organization following the latter's attempts to sell a stake in the World Cup to private equity.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Infantino was looking to sell a $20 billion minority stake to private equity, only for the news to face widespread backlash from the global soccer community. The FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), as it has been named, is a new commercial entity that could allow for private investment in soccer's world governing body for the first time.

Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had been expected to lead the proposed investor group for FFE. However, since the initial story broke, UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, has confirmed that all 55 member nations plan to boycott the World Cup moving forward if Infantino gets his way.

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They are not the only confederation to have come out against Infantino's decision, with CONCACAF, the North American soccer body, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), also rejecting the plans.

The FIFA president has now been dealt another blow, after it was confirmed that Cordeiro, a senior advisor to Infantino, has quit following the attempt to sell off a stake in the World Cup.

Sky News reports Cordeiro, the former president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, has quit his post as a senior advisor, with the 70-year-old telling the outlet Infantino's efforts to court private equity money were a "bad deal" for soccer, and a "bad deal for the long-term future of the game."

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"As a senior adviser 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," said Cordeiro.

Infantino has been criticised for his World Cup plans -Credit:Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

"Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFA's Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game."

Cordeiro also said that the proposal from Infantino should be rejected by all soccer confederations, adding FIFA's "responsibility is not to maximize commercial returns at any cost."

"This proposal has become a defining question for FIFA's future," added Cordeiro.

"After careful consideration, I can no longer continue in my role as Senior Advisor to the FIFA President. I have therefore resigned with immediate effect.

Infantino's position could be coming under threat -Credit:PA

"FIFA's responsibility is not to maximize commercial returns at any cost. It is to protect and strengthen football for future generations. When those principles come into conflict, football must come first."

Regardless of whether CAF (Confederation of African Football), CONMEBOL, the governing body of soccer in South America and OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) vote in favor, UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC's decision to rebuke Infantino's plans means 143 of FIFA's 211 member nations oppose his efforts to sell off a stake in the World Cup to private equity, raising questions about whether his position is tenable.

For his plans to pass, Infantino needed 106 of FIFA's 211 members to vote in favor. With 211 members rejecting the plans, that is a resounding defeat for the FIFA president.

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Source: “AOL Sports”