UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint against Infantino for his attempt to privatize the World Cup

UEFA prepares to file criminal charges against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his failed attempt to privatize the World Cup. The European body has requested evidence from U.S. justice before deciding whether to formalize the proceedings. The battle for control of global football has entered the courts. According to the Financial Times, UEFA plans to file criminal charges against Infantino, possibly along with other executives and advisors, for the failed project to sell a minority stake in the commercial business of the World Cup to private investors.

UEFA's lawyers have requested documents and testimony from Thrive Capital Management and its founder, Joshua Kushner, as well as from FIFA Americas and FWC2026 US, two Florida-based companies that may hold information about the project's origins, structure, valuation, and approval process. These requests are based on U.S. Section 1782, which allows for evidence to be obtained in the United States for use in foreign proceedings.

However, it does not yet confirm that a judge has validated the charges or that the prosecution has opened an investigation against Infantino. UEFA claims that the scheme may have constituted mismanagement under Swiss Penal Code Article 158, as Infantino allegedly pushed the plan in secret with a small group of advisors and investors, bypassing the usual governance channels of FIFA and failing to consult the Council, confederations, and the 211 national federations beforehand.

UEFA also questions why the operation did not undergo competitive bidding or receive an independent valuation, describing the price as likely below market value. While the UEFA allegations have not yet been examined in a criminal procedure, FIFA maintains that the project complied with its regulatory framework, receiving approval from the majority of federations and the Council and retaining FIFA's control over all sporting decisions.

The source of the institutional rift lies in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a subsidiary tasked with handling audiovisual rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, and licensing for the commercial operations of FIFA tournaments, including the men's and women's World Cups and the Club World Cup. The official plan, presented on July 28, proposed selling roughly 20% of the company to minority shareholders with no control, potentially generating up to $4.2 billion (€3.6 billion), based on an estimated valuation of $20 billion.

Joshua Kushner, who leads the venture controlled by his brother Jared Kushner, who is the brother-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, is accused of being the driving force behind the project. Despite the family connection, there is no confirmed evidence of Trump's involvement in the operation. The UEFA federations unanimously agreed not to participate in FIFA competitions if the project proceeded, while Concacaf and AFC opposed the plan.

If all member federations maintain this stance, they may collectively hold enough political power to prevent the proposal from obtaining the required support. Following the federations' unanimous rejection, Infantino withdrew the initiative on August 1. On August 5, following a crisis meeting of the FIFA leadership in Rabat, the organization acknowledged procedural and communication errors, apologized to the Council and federations, and initiated an internal review.

However, this resolution has not yet ended the crisis. UEFA, AFC, and Concacaf subsequently accused Infantino of betraying trust through deception, demanded an independent investigation, and considered a vote of no confidence. The matter will likely be resolved on March 18, 2027, during the FIFA 77th Congress in Rabat, where the 211 federations will elect a new president for a term lasting until 2031.