Infantino faces fresh scrutiny over proposed Under-15 World Cup project

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing renewed criticism over plans for a potentially controversial global Under-15 tournament involving private investors.

The proposal emerged as Infantino comes under growing scrutiny after abandoning plans to establish a commercial company that would have been responsible for selling part of FIFA’s assets and activities. That project provoked considerable debate across the world of football.

According to The Athletic, Infantino held discussions with private-sector investors over the past year about developing and marketing a tournament modelled on a World Cup for Under-15 national teams. The concept was inspired by baseball’s popular Little League World Series.

The proposed event was described as a “youth football festival” involving national teams from all 211 FIFA member associations. The first edition would have been staged for boys only, with shorter matches played at smaller venues than those normally used for major international competitions.

Potential backing was reportedly discussed with Eldridge Industries, the company founded and chaired by Todd Boehly. Boehly is also chairman of Chelsea and one of the owners of baseball team Los Angeles Dodgers.

The report says talks also took place with ESPN, the long-standing broadcaster of the Little League World Series, about staging the tournament at the Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida.

Under the proposed arrangements, ESPN would have broadcast the matches in the United States. The opening and closing ceremonies would also have been held inside Disney’s theme parks.

The idea of creating an Under-15 national-team tournament had already been raised during a FIFA Council meeting in December 2025, The Athletic reported. However, the previously undisclosed element was the possibility of commercially marketing the competition and involving private investors in its organisation and development.

The plans were put on hold before the World Cup began in June. It remains unclear whether the project has been permanently abandoned or could be revived at a later date.

The proposal adds to the debate surrounding Infantino’s approach to expanding FIFA’s activities and developing new competitions. Details of the Under-15 tournament, including its proposed format, broadcasting arrangements and commercial structure, had not previously been made public in full.

The involvement of private capital would have represented a significant part of the project, although no final decision on whether the event would proceed has been confirmed. There is also no indication in the report that a launch date was formally agreed.

For now, the tournament remains suspended, with its future uncertain. The discussions involving Eldridge Industries, ESPN and Disney World nevertheless indicate the scale of the plans considered by FIFA and its president.

The proposed competition would have brought together teams representing all FIFA member associations, while offering a shorter-format event aimed at a younger age group. Its sporting and entertainment elements would have been combined through matches at smaller venues and ceremonies at Disney’s parks.