Infantino’s senior adviser, Cordeiro, resigns over FIFA World Cup plan

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has resigned after the football governing body advanced proposals to bring private investment into its World Cups and other events. The report, published July 31, 2026, says the move adds to pressure on FIFA and Infantino over plans involving a newly created FIFA Forward Enterprise venture.

According to Al Jazeera, Cordeiro said he was leaving immediately in protest at the proposed sale of a stake in FIFA’s competitions. He said he was not involved in developing the proposal and opposed it, describing it as damaging for FIFA member associations, the sport and its long-term future. The article identifies Cordeiro as a former banker and former vice president of the US Soccer Federation who had been selected to help FIFA expand the global game.

Cordeiro had also represented FIFA on the White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. His departure is significant because it comes from someone positioned close to Infantino and connected to preparations for FIFA’s most commercially important tournament.

The Al Jazeera article is brief and says more details are to follow. As general context, FIFA’s World Cup revenues are central to funding the organization and its member associations, so any proposal to bring in private investors could raise questions about control, distribution of proceeds and the future management of global football events.