Infantino’s Unreported Investment Plans for U-15 Tournament

FIFA president Gianni Infantino did not inform the FIFA Council that he was seeking investment from external entities to fund a proposed Under-15 ‘World Cup’ for children. Sources close to three anonymous members of the FIFA Council revealed this to The Athletic. Infantino explored commercial opportunities for an Under-15 festival inspired by baseball’s Little League World Series, involving all 211 FIFA nations.

Infantino reviewed a proposal developed by Juan Carlos Rodríguez, a former Mexico Football Federation commissioner and received backing from Eldridge Industries, chaired by Todd Boehly, who is also involved with Chelsea and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Conversations were held with ESPN to host the event at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, with plans for ceremonies at Disney and broadcasts in the United States.

Infantino also proposed the opening match between Israel and Palestine, following a failed attempt to reconcile their representatives at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. Rodríguez, Eldridge, and ESPN declined to comment on this initiative.

The Athletic disclosed further that the proposal attracted over $250 million in financial commitments from investors, led by Boehly’s Eldridge, aiming to profit through broadcast deals and sponsorships as nations competed for the first time. Partnership terms included a 20 to 30-year period using FIFA’s brand and licensing.

Many FIFA Council members learned about these commercialization talks when reported by The Athletic, questioning whether such a move jeopardizes FIFA’s non-profit status. They accused Infantino of overstepping his role without consulting the Council, which comprises FIFA’s vice-presidents and elected members.

A FIFA spokesperson informed The Athletic that the FIFA Council was briefed in December 2025 about financial support needs for the new U-15 tournaments, emphasizing the significance of securing funding for sustainability and quality. However, external investment was not mentioned, and FIFA reiterated discussions follow statutes and governance regulations. No concerns arose among FIFA staff regarding the tournament’s commercialization or tax implications.

FIFA informed Eldridge and Rodríguez before the World Cup that the proposal would not proceed. It remains unclear whether talks with Kushner’s Thrive Eternal—targeting a 21 percent stake in FIFA—conflicted with the U-15 plan. Thrive Capital did not comment on their awareness of FIFA’s commercialization intentions.

FIFA has announced plans for a global Under-15 tournament, initially disclosed in December 2025, featuring shorter matches and smaller pitches. The first edition will be for boys, followed by a girls’ event in 2027. After rejecting the initial proposal, FIFA’s Bureau favored Azerbaijan for the tournament in late October, without external investment.

A FIFA statement highlighted Azerbaijan’s suitability due to its infrastructure capable of hosting numerous participants.