A World Cup with no participants – it could be Gianni Infantino’s boldest move yet

The latest proposal from FIFA president Gianni Infantino has sent shockwaves through the football world, but this time even traditional allies like the United States and several Middle Eastern countries have joined forces to reject his plan. The idea is to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

Infantino’s proposal reeks of desperation and a complete disregard for the sport’s values. By turning the World Cup into a commodity to be bought and sold, he is essentially putting a price tag on what was once considered a sacred institution. Uefa’s 55 member nations have met this idea with disdain.

The implications are far-reaching and ominous. If Uefa follows through with its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments, including World Cups, it would have severe consequences for the sport as a whole. The absence of top teams like Spain and Portugal from next year’s men’s World Cup would be a devastating blow to the tournament’s credibility.

Infantino’s plan is not just a reflection of his own ambition; it’s also a symptom of deeper problems within FIFA. Corruption and mismanagement have long plagued the organization, with Infantino at the helm having done little to address these issues. In fact, his tenure has only exacerbated the problems.

The North American confederation, Concacaf, and several Asian countries through their umbrella organization, the AFC, have already spoken out against the proposal. Even Donald Trump’s son-in-law’s brother-led fund, set to benefit from the deal, has faced scrutiny and ridicule. This is a testament to Infantino’s miscalculation.

The parallels with FIFA’s past scandals are stark. The 2015 FIFA Corruption Scandal showed that even the highest echelons of the organization were susceptible to corruption and greed. Infantino has promised to bring reform and transparency to FIFA, but his actions suggest otherwise.

If Uefa follows through on its threat, it would not only damage the World Cup’s reputation but also send a message that football’s governing bodies are more concerned with lining their own pockets than preserving the integrity of the sport. The fallout from this debacle will be far-reaching and could mark the beginning of the end for Infantino’s tenure as FIFA president.

The world’s top teams and confederations may need to take a closer look at their involvement with an organization that seems increasingly out of touch with its values. The World Cup, once considered a global spectacle that brought nations together in celebration of football, is now on the brink of collapse. Infantino’s proposal has torn away the veil, revealing the rot and corruption that lies at the heart of FIFA.