The Guardian view on selling off the World Cup: a red-card offence by Gianni Infantino | Editorial
Summary
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced plans to sell stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors, creating a new company to manage commercial rights and event operations. This move has raised concerns about increased commercial pressure on the World Cup and changes to football’s traditional calendar and format.Key Facts
- FIFA plans to create a $20 billion company called FIFA Forward Enterprise to manage commercial rights and organize World Cups.
- Private investors, including Joshua Kushner (related to President Donald Trump's family by marriage), may buy stakes in this new company.
- The investment could lead to more frequent and larger football tournaments.
- There are fears this could disrupt domestic football leagues and increase commercialization.
- Innovations like hydration breaks (which add advertising opportunities) may become more common.
- European football body UEFA and North/Central American group CONCACAF oppose these plans.
- The original World Cup creator, Jules Rimet, aimed for the tournament to unite nations, but critics say current plans focus more on money than this ideal.
- Infantino has publicly defended these changes against critics and claims negative reports are false.
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