Joshua Kushner admits mistake and regret over planned investment in FIFA World Cup scheme

Joshua Kushner has broken his silence on a controversial FIFA plan, saying he and his investment firm misread the political dynamics surrounding it.

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The idea was to inject more money into all 211 member associations, which would have been a significant investment for developing countries to develop talent, support grassroots football and expand football everywhere.

Kushner, the brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, would have become one of the leading shareholders in FIFA Forward Enterprise through Thrive. The company was intended to sell 20% of World Cup rights to private investors.

The proposal triggered major protests and was eventually scrapped. UEFA had warned that it would boycott the World Cup if the plan went ahead. Although the boycott issue has now been set aside, criticism surrounding FIFA President Gianni Infantino has continued.

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It was a proposal that all member associations would vote on, without any commitments.

Kushner said the idea was meant to direct more money to all 211 FIFA member associations, particularly to help developing countries develop talent, support grassroots football and expand the sport. He said the proposal would have been put to a vote by all members without binding commitments.

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Even though we still stand behind the values of FFE, we misjudged the political dynamics in the football world and how far some people were willing to go.

He also said the partners still supported the values behind FIFA Forward Enterprise, but acknowledged that they had misjudged football's political environment. In his words, “Had we known what this would develop into, we would not have become involved.”

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Had we known what this would develop into, we would not have become involved.