00:00You thought all the drama around the World Cup ended when Spain lifted that trophy a couple
00:04weeks ago, but not so fast. European soccer's governing body, UEFA, has voted unanimously to
00:11boycott the World Cup and every other FIFA-run tournament over a controversial plan to bring
00:15Wall Street into the business of global soccer. At the center of this particular fight is a
00:19proposed $20 billion deal that would move the World Cup's commercial rights into a new private
00:24company. An investor group led by Thrive Eternal is expected to buy a 20% stake. And here's where
00:29the controversy comes in for FIFA. Thrive Eternal was founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of
00:34Jared Kushner, who is President Trump's son-in-law, linking the deal to a family with close ties to
00:39the President of the United States. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has also developed a close
00:43relationship with President Trump, raising even more scrutiny over the proposal. UEFA says the
00:48World Cup is not an investment product, declaring, quote, the World Cup is not for sale. If Europe
00:54follows through on its threat, powerhouse soccer nations like England, France, Germany, and Spain
00:59would all walk away from the 2030 World Cup, a move that could devastate the tournament's competitive
01:04appeal, television audience, and commercial value, not to mention the players and fans.
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