THE LOWDOWN — THE FULL HISTORY
THE SALE
On Tuesday 28 July 2026, nine days after the World Cup final, FIFA announced the FIFA Forward Enterprise: a new company holding the commercial and operational rights to its tournaments, including the World Cup, valued at $20 billion. Around 20% would be sold for $4.2 billion to an investor group led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law.
THE REVOLT
On Thursday UEFA's 55 member associations voted unanimously to boycott every FIFA competition if the plan went ahead. FIFA's chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, said publicly: "It is the project of one person."
THE RETREAT
On Friday night Gianni Infantino dropped the plan, with no apology and no resignation. Trump said he never spoke to Infantino about it.
THE FALLOUT
Wales became the first nation to withdraw support for his re-election, followed by Serbia and Sweden. Reports say his calls to the White House went unanswered. The short cut of the full investigation, The Man Who Tried To Sell The World Cup.
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THE TERRACES — DISCUSSION
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