FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has been dealt a significant setback after one of his closest advisers stepped down in protest over the governing body’s proposed plan to sell a stake in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup.
Carlos Cordeiro, a former President of the United States Soccer Federation and Senior Adviser to Infantino, announced his resignation on Friday, describing the proposal as damaging to football’s future.
In a strongly worded statement, Cordeiro said the plan would not serve the interests of FIFA’s member associations or the global game.
“It is a bad deal for FIFA’s member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game,” he said.
Cordeiro’s resignation marks a fresh challenge for Infantino as FIFA continues to face growing opposition over the proposal to bring private investors into the commercial business of the World Cup.
The move has already attracted criticism from several football bodies, with opponents arguing that it could undermine the game’s long-term interests and reduce the influence of FIFA’s member associations over one of football’s most valuable assets.
Cordeiro, who previously served as President of the U.S. Soccer Federation, had been one of Infantino’s trusted advisers before deciding to quit over the controversial proposal.
His departure is expected to intensify the debate surrounding FIFA’s commercial strategy ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with football stakeholders closely watching how the governing body responds to the mounting resistance.