Sports
Media Expo, Backlash From Soccer Governing Bodies Force Infantino to Jettison Private World Cup Investment
By Son Tertsegha, Abuja
FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, before deeply reveling in the euphoria of its successful, unprecedented dollar haul from the 2026 world cup, has launched itself into an avoidable controversy called FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE, that would have changed world cup history and financing, by allowing billions of dollars in private commercial investment in the mundial.
Following the predictable turn of dangerous signals from soccer bodies against his plans, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, caved in. He reversed himself with the statement Friday evening that:
“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.”
First to spill the beans earlier this week, was the British newspaper, The Times, which exposed the secret FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE, deal under which FIFA would have created a commercial rights and event operations company, 20% of which was to be sold to private investors with FIFA retaining ownership of 80%
The next pain in FIFA’s, precisely Infantino’s, neck was the prompt, fierce opposition from UEFA’s reaction, calling the proposal “irresponsible and indefensible.” It stated further that:
“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product,” stressing, “It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies,” and that “the World Cup is not for sale.”
Coming out next was North America’s soccer governing body, the 41-member Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) which rejected the plan, questioning “the need for private equity investment to fund new and existing FIFA Forward programs following the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history.”
CONCACAF, however, stopped short of making a boycott threat.
Then, on Friday, the Asian Football Confederation followed without clearly rejecting the plan, only to say that it stood “in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing serious concerns over FIFA’s proposal to introduce private investment into FIFA’s flagship competitions and the decision-making process around FFE.”
Further harm came on Friday, when Carlos Cordeiro, one of Infantino’s senior advisers, threw in the towel, saying in a statement that he could not “stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup.”
But Infantino’s defence that “The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our FIFA Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed,” in the morning of Friday, fell flat with Cordeiro’s resignation in the day.
Consequently, Infantino had to drop the idea in the evening of the same day.
Importantly, the FFE saga has the image of President Trump and his son-in -law’s Kushner family somewhere in the dark.
Infantino has received mounting criticism in recent months over his close relationship with Mr. Trump leading up to the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. hosted with Mexico and Canada. Last year, Infantino awarded Mr. Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.
Earlier this month, during the World Cup tournament, Mr. Trump said he pressed Infantino to review the red card that was given to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun during a knockout game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under FIFA rules, the red card required that Balogun be suspended for the team’s next match against Belgium.
“All I did, I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Mr. Trump said at the time. “… If they wouldn’t allow, you know, a top player, maybe the best, maybe among the best players on the team, I think it would have had a big stain. And I related, just that, I didn’t tell him what to do, I can’t tell him what to do.”
Curiously, in an unprecedented move, FIFA overturned Balogun’s suspension one day before the Belgium match, and without a detailed explanation.
FIFA confirmed in an earlier statement that Thrive Eternal, a venture spearheaded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, was “expected to lead the proposed investor group.” Thrive Eternal is a subsidiary of Thrive Capital, an investment firm owned by Joshua Kushner.
FIFA had estimated that under the deal, the 211 member associations of FIFA would see their so-called FIFA Forward Funding rise from $8 million per four-year cycle to approximately $20 million.
On Tuesday, a source close to Thrive Capital told CBS News that criticism of the firm’s involvement was unjustified.
“I think the first assumption is that Trump was involved in FFE in any capacity, which is just not accurate,” the source told CBS News. “Josh himself does not have any links with the administration, he does not have any political roles, he has not donated to them, he is not involved in any capacity. If you look at his donation record, all of the causes he has donated to are Democrat … it’s kind of unfair to assume a lot about somebody just because of what their brother does.”
Asked by reporters during a Cabinet meeting Friday if FIFA officials or Infantino had spoken to him about Infantino’s plan, Mr. Trump responded, “No, I never spoke to him.”
By Son Tertsea
Nigeria advanced into the final of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time ever as the Flamingos defeated Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final on Wednesday night.
Queen Joseph opened scoring before Awawu Bashiru’s brace sealed the impressive win.
Joseph slotted home from four yards to put Akeem Busari’s side ahead, and the lead was doubled at the 71th minute as Bashiru lofted a cross that sailed over the goalkeeper into the net.
She sealed the win with a well-placed finish at the near post to send Nigerian fans and officials into jubilation.
Brazil’s consolation goal came 89 minutes from Greise Kelly.
All goals were scored in the first half.
Nigerians jubilated a first-ever win against the South Americans as they reached the final in Morocco. It is the first time an African nation will reach the final of the tournament, and Nigeria is set to break its bronze medal feat of 2022.
The fixtures show Nigeria will play Japan who defeated favourites Korea DPR in the other semi-final.
The final match will take place on Saturday, November 7.
By Isa Abdul, Abuja
A Nigerian, Samson Adamu, has been appointed the new General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The appointment was disclosed by CAF on Sunday, on its website following a comprehensive recruitment process conducted by the continental football governing body.
Reportedly, Adamu had been serving as acting General Secretary since March, following the resignation of Veron Mosengo-Omba.
Mosengo-Omba subsequently became president of the football federation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The appointment took a competitive recruitment process, according to sources quoting CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, in the statement on its website as saying that the position was widely advertised and several candidates interviewed.
Adamu has worked with CAF for eight years, serving first as Director of Competitions and later as Director of Tournaments and Events.
“Adamu brings extensive experience in African football administration, having joined CAF in 2018 as Director of Competitions before subsequently serving as Director of Tournaments and Events.
“He has played a leading role in the delivery of several major continental competitions, including CAF’s flagship tournament, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations,” Motsepe was quoted as saying.
Adamu brings considerable institutional knowledge and experience to his new role as a graduate of the FIFA Master programme in International Management, Law and Humanities of Sport.
Adamu is expected to oversee CAF’s day-to-day administration and support the implementation of its strategic priorities.
He is the son of Amos Adamu, a former Director of Sports in the then Ministry of Sports and a former FIFA Executive Committee member.
The appointment places Adamu among a distinguished line of CAF General Secretaries, including members of Egypt’s Fahmy family.
Mourad Fahmy served from 1961 to 1982, followed by his son, Mustapha Fahmy, from 1982 to 2010, and grandson, Amr Fahmy, who held the position from 2017 to 2019.
Sports
Harry Kane Ends England’s 25-Year Wait As Alexia Putellas Clinches Third Ballon d’Or In Historic London Ceremony
By Felix Umande
England captain Harry Kane and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas have been crowned winners of the Men’s and Women’s Ballon d’Or at the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, 2026.
It was a historic night as the gala was staged outside France for the first time since its inception in 1956, moving to London to honour Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner, on the award’s 70th anniversary. The event was co-organised by France Football and UEFA and hosted by Thierry Henry and Kate Scott.
Kane won the Men’s Ballon d’Or after a phenomenal 2025-26 season, scoring 73 goals in 65 competitive matches for Bayern Munich and England. He led Bayern to a league and cup double and England to a third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup.
The 33-year-old becomes the first Englishman to win football’s most prestigious individual prize since Michael Owen in 2001, joining an elite list that includes Sir Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan.
“It being here in London as well has made it extra special. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was really tough this year,” an emotional Kane said as the Palladium erupted with chants of “Harry, Harry”.
Kane also claimed the Gerd Müller Trophy for Men’s Best Striker. He beat Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, who finished second, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who finished third.
Putellas won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for a third time, after her previous wins in 2021 and 2022, joining compatriot Aitana Bonmati on three titles.
The 32-year-old captained Barcelona Femení to a quadruple — Liga F, Copa de la Reina, Spanish Super Cup and Women’s Champions League — scoring 26 goals and registering 15 assists in 53 matches, before completing a summer move to Women’s Super League side London City Lionesses.
“I don’t know what to say. This prize is for Barcelona. That so many Barça players were nominated says a lot about the season we had. It was my honour to be your captain,” she said.
She finished ahead of Poland striker Ewa Pajor and Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw.
Spain dominated the night, claiming eight of 13 awards.
Full list of winners at Ballon d’Or 2026:
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich / England)
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona / Spain)
- Kopa Trophy – Men’s Young Talent: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain) — for a record third consecutive year
- Women’s Young Talent: Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
- Men’s Coach of the Year – Johan Cruyff Trophy: Luis de la Fuente (Spain) — after leading Spain to World Cup glory
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu (Barcelona)
- Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year – Yashin Trophy: Unai Simón (Athletic Club / Spain)
- Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll (Barcelona / Spain)
- Men’s Best Striker – Gerd Müller Trophy: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich / England)
- Women’s Best Striker – Gerd Müller Trophy: Charlyn Corral (Pachuca / Mexico)
- Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
- Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona Femení
- Socrates Award – Humanitarian: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal / England)
The assessment period for the 2026 awards ran from August 3, 2025 to July 19, 2026, including international competitions, with winners decided by specialist journalists voting for their top 10 players.
Kane succeeds Ousmane Dembélé, who won the 2025 edition in Paris.
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