What can halt Fifa’s authoritarian turn under Infantino? Change from the outside | Jules Boykoff
The World Cup and its aftermath made clear that Fifa needs independent oversight by governments and NGOs dedicated to preserving the people’s game The 2026 World Cup was a whirling swirl of scintillating soccer that prompted much-needed conversations about the vitality of diaspora, the fortitude of the underdog, the power of sport. In a world fractured along myriad cultural axes floating in an…
The World Cup and its aftermath highlighted the need for independent oversight of FIFA by governments and non-governmental organizations committed to safeguarding the sport for the people. The 2026 World Cup was a thrilling display of soccer that sparked conversations about the importance of diaspora, the resilience of underdogs, and the influence of sport in a world fragmented along cultural lines in an era dominated by on-demand entertainment.
As the tournament ended, FIFA president Gianni Infantino shocked the crowd with a proposal to privatize the World Cup by injecting $20 billion in private capital, backed by JP Morgan and Thrive Capital, the investment firm controlled by Joshua Kushner, brother to Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
