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FIFA chief Infantino seeks White House help amid World Cup rights sale controversy

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino is reportedly seeking help from the U.S. administration to protect his position amid controversy over a plan to sell off World Cup commercial rights.
  • Infantino plans to speak with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to sources who say the FIFA chief feels isolated by negative press and is looking for public support.
  • A plan to create a subsidiary to sell World Cup media rights and sponsorships for approximately $4 billion was recently scrapped after facing backlash from European, CONCACAF, and AFC football federations.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is reportedly reaching out to the U.S. administration for support as he faces mounting pressure over a controversial plan to sell off commercial rights related to the World Cup. Sources familiar with the matter told the New York Post that Infantino was scheduled to speak with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, aiming to discuss how football can serve as a form of U.S. soft power, though the underlying motive is seen as job preservation.

One source indicated that Infantino feels "isolated" amidst a barrage of negative press and is actively seeking allies for public endorsement. This comes after a plan announced on August 28 to establish a subsidiary, "FIFA Forward Enterprises" (FEE), to sell off World Cup media rights, sponsorships, and ticketing for an estimated $4 billion (5.7 trillion won) was reportedly abandoned. The deal had drawn criticism, particularly as reports suggested Joshua Kushner's Thrive Eternal was involved in brokering the transaction.

He wanted to discuss how football can be a form of American soft power, but we all know it’s ultimately about saving his job.

— SourceA source familiar with the matter described Infantino's motivation for speaking with Secretary Blinken.

The backlash was swift and significant. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) threatened a boycott of the 2030 World Cup, scheduled to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The Confederation of North, Central and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also voiced opposition, leading to the eventual shelving of the subsidiary plan. Despite the plan's collapse, calls for Infantino's resignation have intensified within and outside FIFA.

Infantino has previously faced scrutiny for his perceived pro-Trump stance. He established the FIFA Peace Prize, awarding the first prize to President Trump, and reportedly intervened to postpone a red card suspension for U.S. player Folarin Balogun after a call from Trump during the CONCACAF Gold Cup. It remains uncertain whether President Trump will offer Infantino the support he is seeking.

He is feeling isolated amid the negative press and is looking for comrades who will publicly support him.

— SourceAnother source commented on Infantino's state of mind and search for support.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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