©picture alliance / NurPhoto | Artur Widak
Several influential figures in European soccer are trying to put forward Nasser Al-Khelaifi, owner of PSG and president of the European Football Clubs (EFC), as a potential challenger to FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the next elections in 2027. The impetus for this is Infantino’s controversial plan to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors—a multibillion-dollar deal that has drawn fierce criticism worldwide.
Infantino launched the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project, a new company tasked with commercially managing the men’s, women’s, and club world championships. The project is valued at $20 billion and is attracting investors, including Thrive Eternal , led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. According to The Times, Infantino could lead FFE after his term ends in 2031, with an annual income of up to $64 million—ten times his current salary. The 211 FIFA members will each have the opportunity to receive up to $20 million in additional development funds.
“Nobody owns soccer!”
UEFA has reacted furiously. “No one owns soccer,” said the European federation, which calls the plan a “nuclear bomb.” The 55 European members are considering an emergency meeting and even a boycott. Political opposition is also mounting; British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated: “The World Cup is not a product. It belongs to the fans.” Criticism is also coming from coaches, the Norwegian Football Association, and the Council of Europe, all of whom are questioning FIFA’s integrity.
Still, a genuine challenge to his power seems unlikely. A representative of Al-Khelaifi said: “Nasser has no interest in that role, and he will continue to discreetly support all institutions of European and world soccer.”
Meanwhile, Infantino is on track for a fourth term; more than 200 of the 211 associations have formally expressed their support, primarily from Africa, Asia, and South America. Only a handful of associations—with Germany as the most notable absentee—are still hesitating. Nominations can be submitted or letters of support withdrawn until November 18, but the likelihood of a serious challenger remains slim.
Critics point to Infantino’s previous attempts to attract private investors; a 2018 proposal involving SoftBank and Saudi connections was blocked by UEFA at the time. Now, following record revenue of $12 billion from the 2026 World Cup, his position appears unshakable.
©picture alliance / NurPhoto | Artur Widak