Philadelphia, PA, July 31, 2026 — Carlos Cordeiro, who previously served as the president of U.S. Soccer, has stepped down from his position as Senior Adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The resignation comes at a critical juncture for FIFA, as the organization faces significant opposition to a proposed plan to sell a stake in its commercial ventures, which include the lucrative World Cup.

Cordeiro explicitly stated that he was not involved in the development of the proposal to bring in private investors and indicated his opposition to the plan. This stance and his subsequent departure align with growing dissent from prominent soccer confederations worldwide.

Major continental bodies, including the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), have voiced their opposition to FIFA’s proposed sale of a stake in its commercial businesses. This unified front from key stakeholders intensifies the pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to address concerns regarding the potential deal.

The controversy centers on the potential sale of a minority stake in FIFA’s commercial operations, a move intended to generate significant capital. However, the proposal has met resistance from confederations worried about the long-term implications and control over the sport’s most valuable assets. Cordeiro’s resignation removes a key figure from Infantino’s advisory team during this period of internal friction.

Details regarding the specific terms of the proposed stake sale and the exact nature of Cordeiro’s advisory role were not provided. The timeline for any potential decision on the commercial business sale remains unclear as FIFA navigates the internal opposition.


Story summarized from the original created by Graham Dunbar on www.inquirer.com, see more information here.

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