FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s reported plan to sell a stake in the World Cup has triggered the resignation of his senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, who stepped down from his role with immediate effect.
Cordeiro’s departure comes amid growing opposition to proposals that could see investors acquire shares in some of FIFA’s major competitions. The plans have attracted criticism from several football stakeholders, with UEFA threatening to boycott FIFA events if the move proceeds, while CONCACAF said its 41 member associations had rejected the proposal.
FIFA has responded to the backlash, insisting that “nobody is selling football.”
In announcing his resignation, Cordeiro said he had no involvement in the proposal and strongly opposed the idea, warning that it could negatively affect football’s long-term future.
“As a Senior Advisor to the FIFA President, a former banker, and a lifelong football enthusiast, I cannot remain silent while FIFA contemplates selling a stake in the World Cup. I want to be clear: I had no part in this proposal, and I oppose it without reservation.”
Cordeiro argued that FIFA already has sufficient financial resources and questioned the need to sell a permanent stake in what he described as football’s most valuable asset.
He also raised concerns over transparency, asking why the deal was necessary, who would benefit from it, and what safeguards would be put in place.
The former FIFA adviser said the proposal represents a major decision for the future of the sport and concluded that he could no longer continue in his role after careful consideration.
Cordeiro, a former president of the United States Soccer Federation, served as a senior adviser to Infantino for more than five years.
