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 Isa Abdul, Abuja

Emeka Anyadike, international sports consultant and communications expert, holds the view that football is Nigeria’s most powerful entertainment industry, greater in global reach, economic value and commercial influence which surpass Afrobeats and Nollywood combined.

It was at the Atlantic Blue Hotel and Resort in Abuja, that the Chief Executive Officer of EEXsports, made the remarks during a FIFA World Cup viewing event. He highlighted football’s unique ability to unite millions of people across cultures while generating enormous economic opportunities.

The presence of global music stars at major football events, he insists, further demonstrates the sport’s unmatched appeal rather than diminishing its significance.

“People celebrate Afrobeats and Nollywood, but football is even bigger.

“The FIFA World Cup features global stars such as Burna Boy, Shakira and Justin Bieber, yet they are only part of the spectacle. Fans tune in primarily because of football. That shows the scale of the industry’s global reach and commercial potential.”

Enyadike has worked in the oil sector and with FIFA in information management and communications. From experience gathered, he calls Nigerians to begin viewing sport as a critical economic sector capable of creating employment, attracting investment and contributing significantly to national development than just to while away time.

He noted that Nigeria’s absence from the current FIFA World Cup had done little to diminish public enthusiasm for the tournament.

“Despite not qualifying for this World Cup, the level of interest across the country has been remarkable. Thousands of Nigerians are still gathering to watch matches involving teams such as Spain and Argentina. That alone demonstrates the immense power and global appeal of football. Even without our national team participating, the passion remains, which shows just how massive the football industry truly is,” he said.

Speaking on the vision behind EEXsports, Enyadike explained:

“Our goal is to build a sustainable sports ecosystem by connecting experienced professionals with the next generation. We are making world-class knowledge accessible locally, eliminating the need for many young people to travel abroad to acquire the same expertise.”

He stressed that EEXsports would continue to bring together key stakeholders from across the public and private sectors to stimulate investment, encourage innovation and unlock the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s sports industry.

By Felix Umande

Team Nigeria made a statement on the opening day of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Friday, combining history and dominance with Esther Nworgu’s gold medal in para powerlifting and the country’s first-ever victory in 3×3 basketball.

The double success gave Nigeria an early lift as the 74-athlete contingent began its campaign across 10 sports.

Nworgu, 24, delivered Team Nigeria’s first gold of the Games in the women’s para powerlifting lightweight category, setting two new Games records on her way to the title.

She opened with 118kg on her first attempt to score 114.1 points and take the lead. Less than 10 minutes later, she improved on her own mark with a 123kg lift for 119 points, sealing gold outright.

In line with the National Sports Commission’s enhanced athlete welfare and reward policy, Nworgu received an instant cash reward of $5,000 at the venue, with a further $5,000 paid directly into her account, bringing her total to $10,000.

The NSC said the reward structure is designed to motivate athletes and recognise outstanding performances on the global stage.

Hours later, Nigeria’s 3×3 basketball team made history with a 21-17 win over the Cayman Islands in their Pool A opener, the country’s first-ever victory in the event at the Commonwealth Games.

Nigeria reached the winning mark with one minute and 36 seconds remaining after combining sharp shooting with solid perimeter defence to subdue a determined Cayman Islands side.

The opening-day wins provide an early boost to Nigeria’s medal chase in Glasgow. With athletes also in action in boxing and para powerlifting later on Friday, the NSC has set a target of between 16 and 20 gold medals for the Games.

Team Nigeria will be hoping the momentum from Nworgu’s record-breaking gold and the basketball team’s historic win translates into more podium finishes as competition continues.