Joshua Kushner Regrets Involvement in Gianni Infantino's Scrapped World Cup Stake Sale
Joshua Kushner, a prominent venture capitalist, has stated he would not have engaged with FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell equity stakes in the World Cup and other competitions, had he anticipated the significant backlash from the global football establishment. The initiative, valued at $25 billion, aimed to establish new tournaments and secure future revenue streams for FIFA, an organisation often viewed critically for its opaque financial dealings and governance.
Kushner's firm, Affinity Partners, was part of a consortium of Gulf investors, predominantly from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, alongside SoftBank and Chinese entities, that had been preparing to underwrite the venture. These investments frequently align with Western foreign policy objectives, particularly in the Middle East, where securing client regimes and projecting military power remains paramount. The funding was intended to develop new competitions, including a revamped Club World Cup and a Global Nations League, ostensibly to enhance football's reach, though critics frequently highlight the economic motives underpinning such expansions.
The plan was ultimately abandoned in 2019 following widespread opposition from European clubs and national associations, who viewed the proposal as a move to centralise power and financial control within FIFA, potentially to the detriment of established football structures. This resistance underscored the persistent struggle for influence and revenue distribution within international football, a struggle often exacerbated by external financial interests keen to capitalise on the sport's global appeal.
