European football nations have threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if President Gianni Infantino proceeds with plans to sell minority stakes in the commercial operations of the World Cup and other major tournaments to private investors.
The 55 member associations of UEFA reportedly reached a unanimous decision during an emergency meeting, rejecting FIFA’s proposed commercial restructuring and warning that no European national team would participate in FIFA competitions while the plan remains in place.
In a statement, UEFA said its members would only reconsider the boycott if FIFA completely abandons the proposal and provides binding assurances that the governance and competitions of world football will not be opened to private ownership in the future.
The decision represents a major setback for Infantino, who has been seeking support for the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, a commercial subsidiary that could raise billions of dollars through minority investments from private investors.
FIFA had given its member associations until September 19 to indicate their position on the proposal. However, UEFA’s united opposition is expected to increase pressure on the governing body to significantly revise or abandon the plan.
The proposed boycott could begin with next year’s Women’s World Cup, with UEFA also calling on other continental confederations to consider taking similar action.
The Football Association of England backed UEFA’s position, saying it stood “shoulder to shoulder” with its European counterparts and opposed any move to place FIFA competitions under private ownership.
“The FIFA World Cup belongs to football and always will,” an FA spokesperson said.
UEFA also accused FIFA of attempting to force its members into accepting the proposed changes, describing the situation as “governance by intimidation” and warning that the future of football’s biggest competitions was at stake.
The development could also affect Infantino’s expected bid for re-election as FIFA president next year. Although several European football associations had previously supported his re-election, the boycott threat could encourage a Europe-backed candidate to challenge him.
UEFA has reportedly held discussions with the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), which has also raised concerns about FIFA’s proposal. The 41 CONCACAF member associations are expected to hold their own emergency meeting to determine their response.
The growing opposition comes after FIFA announced plans to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling minority stakes in its commercial operations, with the governing body insisting it would retain full control over football governance and sporting decisions.
The controversy has attracted criticism from football officials and politicians, including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who said the World Cup “was never anyone’s to sell.”
