The 2026 World Cup may have just wrapped up, but the soccer world is already buzzing about the 2030 edition—and not for the right reasons. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is reportedly pushing a controversial plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors, a move that could line his pockets with millions. The news, first reported by The Times, has sparked outrage among fans, players, and even UEFA, with some of the sport's biggest stars being urged to boycott the tournament if the deal goes through.
According to reports, Infantino is eyeing the creation of a new company that would oversee top FIFA competitions, including the World Cup and the Club World Cup. Among the potential investors is Joshua Kushner, and the idea has reportedly been floated to President Trump. Infantino could personally earn tens of millions from the deal, raising serious questions about conflicts of interest and the integrity of the game.
UEFA Fires Back
UEFA didn't mince words in its response. In a strongly worded statement, the European football governing body said, "This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game."
UEFA added, "The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade—especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell."
Stars Urged to Take a Stand
While the deal hasn't been approved yet, the backlash is already brewing. Richard Deitsch of The Athletic is among those calling on the world's best players—think Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Jude Bellingham—to sit out the 2030 tournament if Infantino's plan moves forward. "I know this never happens outside of the movies but what if the best players in the world simply said: '(Expletive) you. We refuse to play under this scenario,'" Deitsch wrote.
Adam Crafton, The Athletic's top soccer reporter, also weighed in, saying, "We’re about to find out once and for all if the rest of football views Infantino as a convenient cover for all the (expletive) they want to do but don’t have the courage to do… or if they’ll finally find some guts and bring him down."
The 2026 World Cup was a massive success, with everyone from broadcasters to sponsors raking in cash. But for many, this latest proposal crosses a red line. The controversy also echoes recent tensions in other sports, such as the Paula Badosa injury controversy in tennis, where questions of integrity and fair play took center stage.
As the debate heats up, fans are left wondering: will the stars actually boycott? Or will the allure of the World Cup's glory prove too strong? One thing is clear—Infantino's plan has lit a fuse under the soccer world, and the countdown to 2030 just got a whole lot more explosive.
For now, the ball is in FIFA's court. But if the players decide to take a stand, the beautiful game could be facing its ugliest battle yet.
