Who is Joshua Kushner, the man who could change soccer?

In the coming months, Gianni Infantino is set to ask the FIFA Congress to approve the sale of a 20% stake in the commercial business of the World Cup to private investors, doing so through the creation of a commercial entity valued at approximately $20 billion. What is the president of FIFA, global soccer’s governing body, trying to achieve? Who is behind these moves? What role does U.S. president Donald Trump play, and how does his newfound fascination with the world of soccer fit into the story? How much is soccer worth? Can a price tag really be put on the World Cup? And who exactly is Joshua Kushner?

UEFA, the European game’s governing authority, has wasted no time in speaking out, calling for unity across the soccer world in opposition to the proposal. “The soul and governance of football are not assets to be traded,” the body said, in a strongly-worded statement that once again highlighted the seemingly irreparable divide between UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and Infantino, a rift that several influential voices within the sport have been warning about for some time.

Infantino’s stated objective is to secure soccer’s long-term growth and sustainability, but critics argue he has underestimated the emotional side of the game. That sentiment was already bruised by Trump’s intervention during the World Cup, a saga many believe disrupted the established order and damaged the credibility of the U.S. national team. In an episode without precedent in World Cup history, the controversy centered on the decision not to suspend American striker Folarin Balogun after he received a red card.

What to know about Joshua Kushner

Behind Thrive Capital, the firm that is expected to lead the proposed investor group, is Joshua Kushner, 41, brother-in-law of Ivanka Trump, the daughter of the U.S. president. Ivanka is married to Jared Kushner, Joshua’s brother, linking the family to a deal that could dramatically reshape the business of global soccer.

The Kushners are one of America’s most prominent business dynasties. In 2019, Joshua Kushner purchased a 2.5% stake in the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated at $3.6 billion, placing him among the wealthiest entrepreneurs in the world. He is also a co-founder of Oscar Health, the health insurance company, alongside a range of other business ventures connected to his family. Jared Kushner, notably, has served as an adviser to Donald Trump during his presidency. Joshua studied at Harvard University, where he first demonstrated his entrepreneurial instincts by founding the social networking platform Vostu.

Joshua Kushner is the founder and managing partner of Thrive Capital, a venture capital firm valued at approximately $5.3 billion. Thrive’s investment portfolio includes major technology success stories such as Instagram, Spotify, and Slack. Disney CEO Bob Iger is among the firm’s notable investors, alongside a roster of global billionaires that includes India’s Mukesh Ambani, France’s Xavier Niel, and Brazilian-born entrepreneur Jorge Paulo Lemann.

Opposed to Trump

Charles Kushner, Joshua’s father, is a major real estate developer who was convicted on charges including illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering. However, he received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump in 2020.

Joshua, though, has distanced himself from Trump politically. Married to supermodel Karlie Kloss, a vocal Democrat, he has declined to support the U.S. president in past election cycles.

What appears increasingly clear, especially after UEFA’s forceful response, is that Infantino faces an uphill battle. Turning something as deeply emotional and globally cherished as soccer into an asset available for outside investment is unlikely to be an easy sell.

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