Gianni Infantino’s scheme to put the World Cup up for sale backfired—but the commodification of soccer is already well under way.

A proposal to sell a stake in FIFA to manage operations of its main events, including the men’s and women’s World Cups, has the potential to raise tricky tax questions.

From dubious awards to selling off World Cup commercial rights to private equity funds, Gianni Infantino's latest cash grab risks betraying the soul of the global game.