Joshua Kushner regrets FIFA World Cup stake

Venture capitalist Joshua Kushner has publicly stated his regret over his involvement in a now-shelved FIFA plan to sell a stake in the World Cup. His comments come as UEFA seeks court approval to subpoena documents from Kushner and his firm, Thrive Eternal, as part of a potential criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Kushner, the brother of former US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, was set to be the lead investor in the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme. The proposal would have seen a $4.2 billion investment for a 20% stake in a new FIFA commercial subsidiary. In his first public remarks on the matter, reported by the BBC, Kushner said, "Had we known what this would devolve into, we would not have gotten involved."

The shelved investment proposal

Kushner defended the original motivations behind the plan while acknowledging a strategic miscalculation. He stated the FFE's intention was to direct more capital and equity equally among FIFA's 211 member associations. "Money in football has historically been concentrated amongst a small group of countries," Kushner said. The idea was reportedly to provide significantly more investment to underdeveloped nations to nurture local talent and grow the game globally. This aligns with FIFA's broader mission to support development, which fans can track through various stats and standings across global competitions.

FIFA claimed the funding would have substantially increased the distribution to each national association. According to the source, the figures for the 2027-2030 cycle were as follows:

UEFA's legal actions and allegations

European football's governing body, UEFA, has led opposition to the plan and is preparing possible criminal legal action against Infantino in Switzerland. As part of this process, UEFA has asked a court in New York to approve subpoenas for testimony and documents from Kushner, Thrive Eternal, and other parties linked to the deal.

UEFA's lawyers allege that the World Cup was deliberately undervalued at around £15 billion for the proposed sale. They claim this figure was "neither the product of an open, competitive auction, nor tested by any independent valuer." Furthermore, UEFA states that Infantino had been discussing the concept with Kushner for nearly a year before a terms sheet was signed in July 2025, and that he failed to consult FIFA's own hierarchy over the plan. The controversy adds to existing tensions within football governance, often reflected in disputes over fixtures, squad regulations, and even injuries management protocols.

Kushner's admission and recent deal

In his statement, Kushner admitted he "failed to appreciate the political dynamics of global football, and the lengths some would go to." He emphasized that the FFE was an idea for member associations to vote on, not an obligation. While standing behind the proposal's motivations, he expressed clear regret over the ensuing controversy.

The venture capitalist has recently agreed to a separate major sports deal, a record $12.5 billion purchase of basketball's Los Angeles Lakers.