UEFA leads unified boycott of FIFA World Cup over investment plan

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and its 55 member countries unanimously agreed on Thursday to boycott the FIFA World Cup and all FIFA competitions in protest against FIFA's plan to sell a stake to external investors.

In a strongly worded statement, Europe presented a united front against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, whose proposal has sparked controversy less than two weeks after the World Cup held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Six of the top ten teams in both men's and women's football rankings are from Europe, including Spain, the reigning men's World Cup champion.

The decision followed a scathing letter from the Asian Football Confederation to its 47 member associations, warning that the proposal would never succeed without the backing of all regional blocs.

UEFA's stance has significantly heightened tensions, with immediate implications for the Women's World Cup scheduled in Brazil next year.

UEFA said in a statement, "We unanimously and categorically reject FIFA's proposal to transfer ownership stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private sector investors.

As a result of today's discussion, none of UEFA's national teams will participate in any FIFA competition as long as these proposals remain, unless FIFA fully withdraws the plan and provides binding guarantees that it will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership."

Not for sale

UEFA affirmed that the World Cup is not for sale and cannot be treated as an investment product or handed over to private investors.

Infantino's plan calls for the creation of a $20 billion subsidiary to manage the World Cup and other events, offering minority stakes to private investors.

FIFA's 211 member associations were offered $40 million each if they approved the proposal by September 19, as part of a $10 billion package to be available from January 1, 2027.

If the proposal is rejected, the package would revert to the previously offered amount of $2.7 billion, or about $10 million per member association.

UEFA commented on the proposal, "This is not just a colossal failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA's duty as the guardian of world football.

The moment external investors acquire ownership stakes in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial returns become a permanent obligation, and investor expectations become a daily pressure."

UEFA and FIFA have long battled for power and control in a sport that has become a financial powerhouse. UEFA's elite club competitions alone generated €4.4 billion ($5 billion) in revenue in the 2024-2025 season.

Infantino, who is seeking re-election as FIFA president next year, described the move as enhancing global "democracy" by expanding access to FIFA's vast financial resources.

Others, however, have taken a different view.

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said after UEFA's statement, "Football belongs to the fans, not billionaire investors. Enough is enough. It's time to take a stand to protect our game."

Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa warned that the proposal would not succeed without the support of all continental federations, highlighting Europe's strong opposition.

Sheikh Salman wrote, "The AFC notes with deep concern and great disappointment that FIFA did not consult us at any level before announcing this proposal, nor did it provide any detailed analysis of the administrative, financial, or legal aspects or potential implications, which is completely unacceptable."

He added, "The AFC is deeply concerned that FIFA's unilateral actions appear to undermine the very foundations of continental football, which are based on solidarity, cooperation, and transparency."

Sheikh Salman said the AFC was surprised by the short timeframe given to study the proposal, stressing that "such decisions should never be rushed," and that the confederation would contact FIFA directly for further clarification.

He wrote, "The AFC firmly believes that sufficient time must be allowed for a comprehensive assessment, including completion of the necessary legal and administrative review procedures."

Sheikh Salman emphasized that the proposal needs the support of all six continental confederations.

He wrote, "Such an initiative cannot succeed without the support of all continental confederations, which is not currently the case."

* African confederation yet to meet

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) also criticized FIFA for failing to consult with it.

The African confederation's executive committee will meet next week to assess the proposal, while the Oceania Football Confederation, the smallest regional body with 11 countries, said it would discuss the plan at a meeting next month.

No public position has yet been announced by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).

Player representative bodies have also joined the opposition, with the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) warning that the proposal could fundamentally reshape the incentives underpinning the competitions in which players compete and build their careers, in ways that would be difficult to reverse.

The Australian Professional Footballers' Association joined the criticism on Thursday, accusing FIFA of pressuring member associations to approve the proposal while ignoring the players and fans who create the true value of these competitions.

The association said in a statement, "We are deeply concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding this proposal, and the absence of any serious consultation with the parties who generate the value FIFA seeks to monetize—namely, the players and fans."

It added, "At a time when football desperately needs more transparency, accountability, and good governance, proposals of this scale raise fundamental questions about who runs the game and for whose benefit. These competitions should not be for sale."