FIFA president Gianni Infantino is reportedly heading for talks at the White House as pressure grows over his leadership. The reported meeting with Donald Trump comes at a sensitive moment for Infantino, who is said to be trying to steady his position after a fierce backlash inside world football.
The controversy centers on a plan to sell a $4.2 billion stake in FIFA's most valuable competition, the World Cup. That proposal, first reported by The Times, involved a private equity firm led by Joshua Kushner and quickly triggered strong opposition.
According to the report, the failed attempt to monetize part of the tournament has left Infantino increasingly isolated. What was meant to be a major commercial move instead appears to have opened a broader dispute over FIFA's direction and the president's handling of key decisions.
The White House talks are now being watched closely because they come as Infantino battles to protect his standing. While it remains unclear what any meeting may deliver, the latest developments underline how the fallout from the World Cup sale plan has become a serious test for the FIFA president.
