FIFA president Gianni Infantino unexpectedly backed out of a high-profile event for Wall Street elites, amidst legal pressures from UEFA regarding a failed sell-off deal involving billionaire Joshua Kushner. Sources indicate that he was scheduled to give a speech Friday night at the Milken Hamptons Dialogues but canceled his appearance.
It seems Infantino made the decision after learning that UEFA was planning to subpoena Kushner and FIFA’s Florida offices earlier this week. This legal situation became a concern for him as it might expose sensitive information about Kushner’s business, according to insiders.
“Infantino is clearly trying to maintain his connections with Wall Street,” remarked one football insider. “However, investors who once supported him are increasingly uncomfortable—not just due to the negative press, but also because of the potential legal scrutiny on their interests.”
FIFA has stated that Infantino’s withdrawal had nothing to do with the unfolding legal issues, insisting he was engaged in other commitments abroad. A spokesperson mentioned he had informed the event organizers well before the court developments.
The gathering in the Hamptons, where Infantino was set to speak, is affiliated with the larger Milken Institute Global Conference, which attracts the ultra-wealthy every May in Los Angeles.
If a judge grants the subpoenas, Kushner may be compelled to provide testimony as UEFA seeks to collect evidence for a possible criminal case in Switzerland. Infantino has been traveling around the globe to engage with football federations, attempting to stabilize his precarious standing in FIFA, utilizing a private jet provided by Qatar, as indicated by flight documentation.
As of Friday, he was reportedly in Doha. UEFA recently sought a Manhattan federal judge’s approval to require Kushner and his firm, Thrive Capital, to provide documents and undergo depositions, along with seeking access to FIFA-related documents in Florida.
Last month, it was exclusively reported that FIFA abandoned a $20 billion initiative to sell a stake in the organization to Kushner’s investment firm. UEFA is keen on gathering evidence through the U.S. discovery process, as both UEFA and FIFA reside in Switzerland.
One source involved in the discussions remarked, “A single individual continues to hinder progress in the sport. Even his followers are beginning to realize we might be better off without his leadership.”
According to UEFA’s recent court filings, discussions between Kushner and Infantino regarding the deal had been ongoing for nearly a year prior to the signing of any preliminary agreements. The origins of the proposal reportedly trace back to July 2025, when Kushner approached former Liberty Media executive Greg Maffei at a conference in Sun Valley.
UEFA alleges that the deal was part of a flawed process where FIFA’s governing bodies were left uninformed, while Infantino and a small group of advisers moved forward with it. The plan publicly surfaced on July 28, when Infantino introduced a FIFA-managed subsidiary aimed at raising $4.2 billion, suggesting a valuation around $20 billion.
FIFA’s financial advisers, however, underestimated the sentiment within global soccer. Reports surfaced of significant opposition from all 55 UEFA member nations, with threats to withdraw from FIFA events unless the deal was rescinded. CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation also expressed their discontent, exacerbating the backlash even within Infantino’s organization.
Recently, Kushner has garnered media attention for partnering with former Disney CEO Bob Iger to spearhead a group of investors planning to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers for over $12 billion. Comment requests were made to UEFA, Thrive Capital, and the Milken Institute.
