Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 31, 2026 —

Carlos Cordeiro has stepped down from his role on the White House Task Force for the World Cup, citing strong opposition to FIFA’s proposed sale of a stake in the tournament’s commercial ventures to private equity firms.

Cordeiro, who previously served as president of the U.S. Soccer Federation and remains a senior advisor to FIFA, expressed his concerns in a statement. He described the potential deal as a “bad deal for football” and stated that it amounts to “mortgaging football’s future.”

The White House Task Force was established to coordinate efforts related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The task force brings together government officials and stakeholders from the soccer community to ensure the successful planning and execution of the event.

FIFA’s consideration of bringing in private equity investment for its commercial operations, including aspects of the World Cup, has been a point of contention for some within the sport. Critics argue that such a move could prioritize profit over the long-term health and integrity of the game.

Cordeiro’s resignation highlights a significant disagreement regarding the financial direction of international football’s premier event. The specific details of the proposed stake sale and the identity of the potential private equity investors were not immediately available.

As a former leader of U.S. Soccer and a current FIFA advisor, Cordeiro’s perspective carries considerable weight. His departure from the task force signals a potential challenge to FIFA’s strategic financial decisions as the organization prepares for the upcoming World Cup.



Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.

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