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  • Inside the chaotic four days that have left Gianni Infantino fighting to stay in power, how arrogant FIFA president's gamble spectacularly backfired and the contenders looking to overthrow him after World Cup own goal
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By BEN NAGLE, US SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 07:51 EDT, 1 August 2026 | Updated: 07:53 EDT, 1 August 2026

Gianni Infantino's humiliating downfall is almost complete after his friend and ally Donald Trump denied all knowledge of the FIFA president's disastrous plot to try and sell off the World Cup to private investors.

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Infantino had devised a $20 billion commercial subsidiary plan, backed by Joshua Kushner - whose brother Jared is the US Special Envoy for Peace and married to Trump's daughter Ivanka.

But, according to the president himself, news of any potential deal didn't get as far as the Oval Office, with Trump quickly shutting down questions about the World Cup plan when asked on Friday.

When asked 'did Mr Infantino speak to you about his proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup?' Trump brutally first replied: 'Who?'

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After the question was repeated, the president then added: 'No, I didn't speak to him.'

On social media, fans were quick to poke fun at Infantino, with one writing: 'Gianni Infantino is officially Tom Hanks on Cast Away, alone on [an] island with a ball. It's over.'

Donald Trump has denied any knowledge of Gianni Infantino's plan to sell off the World Cup 

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Q: Did Gianni Infantino speak with you about selling the World Cup?

Trump: No. pic.twitter.com/TnzSE92qRc— Acyn (@Acyn) July 31, 2026

Another added: 'Under the bus you go, Infantino.' 

Late on Friday night, Infantino abandoned his bombshell proposals to inject private equity into the operational and commercial aspects of FIFA tournaments.

His humiliating backtrack came thanks to the heroics of UEFA, CONCACAF, the AFC and two members of the FIFA hierarchy, who all took a stand against his divisive plans.

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The AFC, Asia's governing body, were the third and final confederation to reject Infantino's proposal. Their resistance made it clear he did not have the support to proceed, as opposing nations rose to a staggering 135 - 64 per cent of the FIFA membership.   

The proposal reached a terminal stage when Carlos Cordeiro, senior advisor to Infantino and the World Cup's White House advisor, announced his resignation from FIFA - becoming the first internal dissident.

Six hours later, FIFA's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour turned against the president - risking his job by criticizing the plans and calling on nations to dethrone Infantino. Lamour admitted FIFA Forward Enterprise was the brainchild of 'one person' as he landed a critical blow to the FIFA president.

Infantino had hoped to create a new enterprise with significant investment from Joshua Kushner. Meanwhile, investment bank J.P. Morgan were advising on potential investors.

Infantino has quickly backtracked on the plans and UEFA is now trying to oust him from FIFA

Joshua Kushner, pictured with model wife Karlie Kloss, is the brother of Trump's son-in-law

Democratic senator Ron Wyden, who leads an investigation into Jared Kushner, said on Friday: 'Soccer fans around the world are rightfully outraged by this scheme from Infantino and Joshua Kushner to turn the World Cup into just another commodity for private equity to buy up.

'It seems clear from the global backlash that this corrupt plan is unlikely to succeed, but it is just one of dozens of shady deals by Trump's family and close associates to get rich from the presidency.'

A significant number of FIFA members raised concerns from the initial leak of the plan, questioning how such thorough ideas could be developed unilaterally without prior consultation.

Despite FIFA maintaining throughout that there would be a proper consultation period, there were major questions about how that could be achieved when potential investors were already lined up.

UEFA accused FIFA of trying to bribe members with a $40million incentive to approve Infantino's plan, with a September 19 deadline to respond to the offer.

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