FIFA faced a furious backlash from UEFA and other bodies over Infantino’s proposed private investment vehicle for the World Cup, with threats of legal action and a united boycott if the plan proceeded, even as the secretary-general helped craft an apology and reaffirm governance. The aborted deal, reportedly involving Thrive Eternal and Thrive Capital seeking about $4.2 billion for a World Cup vehicle valued around $20 billion, highlights the broader contest over who pays for football and how host-city economies are affected by FIFA’s revenue model.
