How a plan to sell off the soccer World Cup incited a revolt within the ‘beautiful game’

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Trump ally Gianni Infantino is facing calls to resign over what other soccer officials have decried as a “shabby, back-room deal’’ to sell a chunk of FIFA to private equity investors.

A foot going to kick a soccer ball on grass against a blue sky; the soccer ball is covered in price stickers.

Chelsea Stahl / NBC News; Getty Images

Aug. 1, 2026, 6:05 AM EDT

By Alexander Smith

LONDON — Can you sell off the World Cup? That is the existential crisis that sparked a revolt at the top of the world’s biggest sporting event, as the thrills of this summer’s North America-hosted tournament gave way to resignations, boycott threats and demands for the ousting of the Donald Trump ally leading the controversial plot.

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