NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman is not mincing words, flat-out saying the league “wholeheartedly” backs Concacaf’s rejection of FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s insane proposal to privatize the World Cup. Berman is ready to offer her expertise as U.S. Soccer now mulls its official stance on FIFA’s leadership future. This isn’t just a political chess match; it’s about the soul of the global game, especially for women’s soccer.
The $4 Billion World Cup Sell-Off That Collapsed
Seriously, can you believe this plan even saw the light of day? Infantino tried to launch a subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), with a grand scheme to bundle both men’s and women’s World Cups, along with Club World Cups, and then sell off about 20% to private investors for roughly $4 billion. Talk about a cash grab! The main backer was a holding company called Thrive Eternal, led by venture capitalist Joshua Kushner. Yeah, *that* Kushner, whose brother Jared is the son-in-law of U.S. president Donald Trump. But FIFA’s brazen move didn’t stand a chance. UEFA, Concacaf, and the AFC shut it down almost immediately, forcing Infantino to scrap FFE within days. That’s a swift, decisive rejection, and now Infantino is facing immense pressure, with some calling for his resignation and others eyeing a run against him in March’s presidential elections.
Berman’s Power Play and the Fight for Women’s Soccer
Berman didn’t hesitate, saying during a press conference on Wednesday that NWSL is “pleased that it was withdrawn.” U.S. Soccer already stood with Concacaf in rejecting FFE, but the bigger conversation is just starting. CEO J.T. Batson confirmed that FIFA’s future leadership will be a major topic at U.S. Soccer’s board meeting next month, in September. Berman herself is on that board and is “eager to have discussions,” listen, learn, and understand the “optionality that might exist.” Her priorities are crystal clear: women’s soccer. It’s often an “oft-overlooked topic” at FIFA’s highest levels, but it’s crucial for Berman, no matter who’s in charge. We’ve seen some positive steps, sure, with Infantino overseeing the Women’s World Cup expansion from 24 to 32 teams in 2023, which was a welcome change. And Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, who’s reportedly considering a FIFA presidential bid, launched the inaugural W Champions Cup. These are important developments, but the fight for consistent investment and visibility for the women’s game is far from over.
The deadline for potential FIFA presidential candidates is just two months after the September U.S. Soccer board meeting. This isn’t just talk; big decisions are coming that will shape the future of soccer. We’ll be watching closely to see what leadership emerges and what that means for the women’s game around the world.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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