Skip to content
Opens in a new window
How FIFA Tried (and Failed) to Sell the Soul of Football
04 August 2026

How FIFA Tried (and Failed) to Sell the Soul of Football

Pablo Torre Finds Out

About

The World Cup was a $15 billion jackpot. Then FIFA president Gianni Infantino overplayed his hand, with a secret plot to allegedly enrich the extended Trump family — and himself. The Athletic's Adam Crafton explains the NFL-inspired motives, political naïveté and potential downfall of the man who would be king of sport.


• More from The Athletic: Inside the Week That Shook Gianni Infantino, FIFA and the Football World


• Previously on PTFO: America Signed Up for the World Cup. FIFA Stuck You with the Tab.


• Subscribe to "The Athletic FC Podcast" with Adam Crafton


• Subscribe to The Athletic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.