Trump relatives firm admits misjudging FIFA privatization backlash after UEFA boycott threat
Joshua Kushner, the brother of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, admitted on Tuesday that his investment firm, Thrive Capital, would not have pursued involvement in FIFA’s controversial plan to sell a 20% stake in World Cup commercial rights to private investors had it foreseen the backlash.
In a statement reported by Axios, Kushner said the proposal—spearheaded by FIFA President Gianni Infantino—aimed to inject funds into all 211 member associations, particularly to support grassroots football and talent development in emerging nations. Thrive Capital had been poised to become a major shareholder in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the entity created to execute the plan.
The initiative triggered widespread opposition, including a threatened boycott by UEFA, European football’s governing body, which warned it would skip the World Cup if the privatization proceeded. The plan was ultimately abandoned, but criticism of Infantino persisted. Kushner acknowledged misjudging the political dynamics within global football, stating, “We underestimated how far some were willing to go.”
He added that Thrive Capital had a history of partnering with all stakeholders in its deals but conceded, “Had we known what this would develop into, we would not have become involved.” Despite withdrawing, Kushner reaffirmed support for the project’s original goals, emphasizing its potential to expand the sport’s reach.
The controversy underscored divisions over FIFA’s governance under Infantino, with UEFA’s boycott threat marking a rare public challenge to the organization’s leadership. The plan’s collapse left unresolved tensions, though the immediate risk of a World Cup boycott has subsided.
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