UEFA Threatens Legal Action Against FIFA President Gianni Infantino Over Failed World Cup Deal

UEFA has issued a stern legal warning to FIFA President Gianni Infantino following the collapse of his ambitious plan to sell World Cup rights and stakes to private investors. The warning letter, led by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and reported by the British Telegraph on August 2, 2026, accuses Infantino and FIFA of potentially destroying evidence related to the failed project. UEFA demands immediate preservation of all documents and electronic data, cautioning that any destruction could be considered evidence tampering, which would prompt sanctions and legal orders.

This legal escalation marks a significant intensification in the ongoing conflict within global football governance. The dispute erupted after 55 European football associations, including Israel, threatened to boycott World Cup matches if Infantino’s deal proceeded. UEFA has also indicated it will actively seek Infantino’s removal from office.

The warning letter extends to several senior FIFA officials involved in the project, including Secretary General Mathias Grafström, Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour (who claimed he was misled by Infantino), and Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Head of Football Development. The controversial plan aimed to funnel billions of dollars into private funds in exchange for World Cup rights, with key investors linked to prominent figures such as Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner and Donald Trump’s son-in-law, and Greg Maffei, a notable Trump associate.

UEFA’s letter firmly states that the plan "does not align in any way with proper football governance." Although the project has been shelved, the legal and political battle over Infantino’s future at FIFA is just beginning, with the 2026 World Cup looming amid this turmoil.