Joshua Kushner, a US venture capitalist and brother of Jared Kushner, publicly regretted his involvement in FIFA's plan to sell stakes in a $20 billion commercial subsidiary that included World Cup rights. He made his first public comments on August 31, 2026, amid escalating football power struggles and legal scrutiny [1, 2, 3].
The aborted plan aimed to raise $4.2 billion by selling 20% stakes in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial vehicle intended to channel more wealth to FIFA’s 211 member associations. The proposal focused on investing significantly in underdeveloped football nations to support grassroots development, nurture local talent, improve fan experience, and grow the sport globally [1, 2, 3]. Kushner said, "The idea behind [the project] was to direct more capital and equity equally amongst all 211 member countries, providing significantly more investment to underdeveloped nations to nurture local talent, support grassroots football, enhance the fan experience, and ultimately grow the global game everywhere" [3].
Kushner and his firm Thrive Capital had been expected to lead the investment process privately for months before the plan faced strong public backlash and political obstruction. He acknowledged underestimating the intense political dynamics within global football, stating, "While we stand behind the motivations of FFE, we failed to appreciate the political dynamics of global football, and the lengths some would go to. Had we known what this would devolve into, we would not have gotten involved" [1].
Meanwhile, UEFA is preparing a criminal case against FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Switzerland over alleged mismanagement related to this matter. UEFA filed a court motion on September 1 in Manhattan seeking documents and testimony from Kushner and Thrive Capital, though neither is a defendant in the case [2, 3].
Kushner is also a key investor in a $12.5 billion consortium pursuing the purchase of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, showing his broader sports investment interests [2, 3].
The fallout surrounding the stake sale plan and growing legal challenges mark a significant moment in football governance. Kushner’s public regret signals how deeply the political conflicts have affected outside investors. UEFA’s court motion sets a potential timeline for further legal proceedings aimed at FIFA’s leadership and its financial management.
