Senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned Friday, July 31, 2026 [2], in protest of a plan to sell a stake in the World Cup.
The resignation signals deep internal instability and external resistance to the commercialization of the sport's premier tournament. The move comes as FIFA faces potential boycotts and opposition from major footballing bodies.
Cordeiro served as an adviser to President Gianni Infantino. He stepped down after FIFA proposed selling a 20% stake [1] in the World Cup to private investors. The plan has triggered significant backlash from football confederations in Asia and Europe.
Cordeiro distanced himself from the development of the proposal. "I had no involvement," he said [3].
The internal friction extends beyond the adviser's office. An unnamed senior FIFA official said the proposal deceived staff [4]. The plan aims to bring in private equity to increase revenue, but critics argue it compromises the integrity of the game.
The resignation follows a period of tension between the governing body and the regional confederations. These organizations have expressed fears that the sale of a stake would alienate fans and disrupt the traditional governance of the tournament. Cordeiro's departure highlights the divide between Infantino's leadership and those who oppose the private equity model.
“"I had no involvement,"”
The resignation of a top adviser to the president suggests that the push for private equity in the World Cup is not just facing external opposition from confederations, but is also creating a rift within FIFA's own executive circle. If FIFA continues with the 20% stake sale, it risks a formal boycott from European and Asian football bodies, which could destabilize the commercial and political foundation of the tournament.
