UEFA and its 55 member associations have unanimously voted to boycott all FIFA competitions if the world governing body proceeds with plans to sell stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors, escalating a growing dispute over the future governance of global football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed creating a $20 billion subsidiary to manage the World Cup and other FIFA competitions while selling minority stakes to external investors. FIFA has offered each of its 211 member associations $40 million if they approve the plan by 19 September, with the funds due to be distributed from January 2027.
UEFA said the World Cup "is not for sale" and warned that allowing private investors to acquire ownership interests would fundamentally change the sport by placing commercial returns above football's long-term interests.
"No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive," the confederation said, adding that participation would resume only if the proposal is withdrawn entirely and FIFA provides binding guarantees that it will not pursue private ownership again.
The boycott would have major implications for upcoming FIFA events, including the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil and the 2030 Men's World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
UEFA's position has also been echoed by other regional football bodies. CONCACAF, representing North America, Central America and the Caribbean, rejected the proposal after its own meeting, citing concerns over a lack of transparency, governance and consultation.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also criticised FIFA, saying it had not been consulted before the proposal was announced and warning that such a significant restructuring could not succeed without the backing of all six continental confederations.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to discuss the proposal next week, while Oceania's confederation plans to review it next month.
South American governing body CONMEBOL has yet to publicly comment.
The proposal has also drawn criticism from players' representatives: global players' union FIFPRO warned that introducing private ownership into FIFA competitions could permanently alter the priorities and incentives surrounding international tournaments.
The coordinated opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC represents one of the biggest challenges to FIFA's leadership in recent years, casting significant doubt over the future of Infantino's investment proposal.
The latest standoff adds to growing scrutiny of FIFA and President Gianni Infantino. Alongside criticism over the expanding international calendar and the commercialisation of the sport, Infantino has faced an ethics complaint backed by the Norwegian Football Federation over allegations he breached FIFA's political neutrality rules through his public support for U.S. President Donald Trump.
Although the IOC recently declined to investigate the case, UEFA's unprecedented boycott threat underscores broader concerns about FIFA's governance and the direction of world football.
Gunmen opened fire on mourners at a church funeral in southern Jordan on Friday, killing at least seven people in a rare attack on the country&rsqu...
Foreign ministers meeting in Istanbul on Friday warned that renewed military strikes on Iran could deepen the regional conflict, urging diplomatic ...
Georgia’s Constitutional Court has extended hearings in a case seeking to ban five opposition parties, with proceedings now set to continue u...
Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on Dammam airport, while Iran's IRGC Navy claimed strikes on seven vessels and warned the U.S. of a wider response.
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people and injured 15 others, including two children, Ukrainian authorities said. Meanwhile, Russia said it had intercepted the vast majority of 630 Ukrainian drones launched towards Moscow.
Super typhoon Champi is set to batter Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture from Friday (23 October), bringing violent winds, torrential rain and waves up to 11 metres high, as airlines cancel flights and organisers scrap a major festival.
A powerful magnitude 7 earthquake has struck Tibet in southwestern China, killing 16 people and injuring 65, while forcing more than 12,000 residents to relocate as rescue teams respond to widespread aftershocks.
Gunmen opened fire on mourners at a church funeral in southern Jordan on Friday, killing at least seven people in a rare attack on the country’s Christian minority that has raised fresh questions about security in the country.
Armenian authorities have detained 10 more people in a vote-buying investigation involving the opposition Strong Armenia party, just two days before local elections in the northern town of Stepanavan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met India’s Minister of External Affairs in Baku for talks on strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on trade, investment, energy and technology.
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Greece’s parliament has passed a bill banning under-15s from using social media from 1 January 2027, as the country steps up efforts to protect children online. The new law will require platforms to enforce age restrictions.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment