World Cup news: UEFA ready to hit Gianni Infantino with criminal complaint over failed $20 billion plan

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Earlier this year, UEFA warned Gianni Infantino that it could file legal action against him. On Thursday, that threat became reality.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino received an official criminal complaint over a $20 billion plan to sell a stake in the World Cup, per Mark Ogden of ESPN. UEFA, Europe's soccer governing body, filed the complaint in the Swiss courts.

They allege that Infantino "fraudulently" offered to sell a stake without FIFA's official approval.

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"UEFA and its counsel are contemplating a Swiss criminal proceeding against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials for criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code."

The complaint also mentions the New York investment company Thrive Capital Management, founded by Joshua Kushner. They were allegedly set to pay FIFA $4.2 billion, a 20% stake that would run the World Cup.

Kushner is the son of Charles Kushner, the U.S. Ambassador to France. He is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law.

Infantino is coming on the heels of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The sale of the World Cup unleashed a surge of criticism. U.S. Soccer chastised Infantino over the sale. Meanwhile, FIFA is under damage control, admitting that the sale was a mistake.

President Trump threatened FIFA over a push to remove Infantino.

Infantino has been the FIFA president since 2016. He ran for re-election unopposed twice. During his tenure, he oversaw the 2018 tournament in Russia, the 2022 tournament in Qatar, and the 2026 tournament in North America.

He is running for re-election. The election is scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco.

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