We look at the controversy around the plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, what the Gunners need to get to the next level and Liverpool’s uncertain summer
So $15bn wasn’t enough. That’s the record amount Fifa is estimated to have made from the 2026 World Cup, but Gianni Infantino wants more. Approximately $20bn more through an investment plan that would see soccer’s governing body sell the commercial rights to its tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors.
The backlash to Tuesday’s announcement was swift and widespread. Uefa accused Fifa of “attempting to sell the soul of football”. UK prime minister Andy Burnham reminded Infantino that the World Cup “was never anyone’s to sell”. Concacaf voiced its concerns and the FA revealed it had been “completely unaware” of the plans.
Infantino attempted to get ahead of the news cycle on Monday by posting a 15-part message on Instagram accusing his critics of spreading hate. More criticism will come his way if these plans to privatize the sport’s most prestigious competition come to pass. European nations are reportedly ready to boycott future World Cups after a summer that had already pushed many to the brink.
This story is fast becoming Fifa’s European Super League moment. Fans begrudgingly tolerated the extortionate ticket prices and politicization of this summer’s World Cup, but Infantino may have gone too far in the same way many of Europe’s biggest clubs went too far in threatening a breakaway division five years ago.
Back then, supporters took to the streets to oppose a move that threatened to rip up the club game as we know it. Soccer’s collective response to Fifa’s proposals could be just as forceful. The European Super League thankfully never happened and the World Cup will hopefully remain the property of the people, not Infantino and his private equity buddies.
Arsenal need a left-winger and there aren’t many (any?) better than Vinícius Júnior. The Gunners’ recruitment department has done an excellent job in recent years, identifying the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz as players for Mikel Arteta to build a title-winning team around. Their scouting of Vinícius, however, surely wasn’t so deep.
Everyone knows how good Vinícius is. The Brazilian has racked up 228 goal contributions (128 goals, 100 assists) in 375 appearances for Real Madrid. The two-time Champions League winner is one of the most impactful attackers in the sport and would elevate Arsenal’s forward line to an entirely new level.
Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez, RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain are also on Arsenal’s radar, but Vinícius – who is in the final year of his contract at Real Madrid – is the most tantalising prospect.
Leandro Trossard’s departure to Besiktas left a hole in Arsenal’s squad. Even before Trossard left, the left-winger position was the most obvious area for the north London outfit to upgrade. Gabriel Martinelli and Trossard combined for just seven league goals last season. Vinícius, meanwhile, scored 22 goals in all competitions on his own.
Arsenal have been methodical in the way they have bulked up their squad. When they needed an orthodox frontman last summer, they signed Viktor Gyökeres. When another midfield anchor was required to ease some of the load on Rice, they signed Martín Zubimendi. Now, it is clearly time for left-winger to be addressed. No player would do this more emphatically than Vinícius.
Andoni Iraola had already labelled Liverpool’s defensive depth as “very thin” when Joe Gomez went down injured after only eight minutes of Saturday’s preseason friendly against Sunderland. He surely would use the same terms to describe some other areas of his squad as his first season as Res manager gets closer and closer.
Liverpool still haven’t replaced Mohamed Salah. Or Andy Robertson. There are lingering questions over their midfield unit and the right-back position where the Reds restlessly rotated between Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai last season. There has even been speculation over Alisson’s future.
Iraola has been hired to remold Liverpool in his own image, but it’s not currently clear what he has to work with. Or who is aiding him in the front office following the exit of Michael Edwards as the head of Fenway Sports Group’s football department and reports that Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is also on his way out.
Jeff Bezos could be on his way in as a new investor. The Amazon founder is in talks to join a consortium led by the former Queens Park Rangers co‑owner Amit Bhatia seeking a 30% stake in Liverpool. There is so much happening at Anfield, and yet not nearly enough happening on the field or in the transfer market.
Of course, 12 months ago Liverpool “won” the transfer window, signing Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz for club-record fees, and if anything their blockbuster business disrupted Arne Slot’s team. Big business isn’t always good business, but it’s fair to question if Liverpool’s uncertain summer off the field is affecting things on it.
