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

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 (nytimes.com/athletic/7485172/2026/08/02/fifa-w…)

• Previously on PTFO: America Signed Up for the World Cup. FIFA Stuck You with the Tab. (pod.link/1685093486/episode/NmEyYTA2YmFiYzM2ZT…)

• Subscribe to "The Athletic FC Podcast" with Adam Crafton (pod.link/1488521447)

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