UEFA members agree FIFA boycott if World Cup plans pursued

UEFA members have agreed to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if the organization proceeds with plans to sell stakes in the tournament to private investors, according to multiple reports. The decision, made during an urgent online meeting of UEFA’s 55 member federations, is a notable escalation in tensions between European football authorities and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

The vote followed revelations of Infantino’s proposal to spin off FIFA’s commercial operations into a $20 billion subsidiary, with 20% ownership held by private investors. A New York-based venture capital firm, led by Joshua Kushner, is identified as the core investor in the plan. The proposal includes offering $20 million to each of FIFA’s 211 member associations, a deal that must be accepted by mid-September.

UEFA’s statement emphasized that its national teams would not participate in any FIFA competitions “so long as these proposals remain alive,” unless the plan is abandoned and assurances are given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership. The body described the World Cup as “one of football’s greatest sporting legacies” and warned that its commercialization would “change football forever.”

The move comes amid growing backlash from football authorities globally. Infantino has framed the proposal as a way to “turbocharge” funding for soccer development, particularly for member associations reliant on FIFA’s financial support. However, UEFA criticized the plan as a “profound failure of leadership” and accused FIFA of prioritizing commercial interests over the sport’s traditions. The European body also highlighted concerns that private investors would impose “commercial return” as a permanent obligation, altering the nature of international football.

The next FIFA competition in Europe is the Women’s Under-20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in Poland on September 5. UEFA’s boycott could disrupt this event, though the full scope of the action remains unclear. The organization’s statement did not specify whether the boycott would apply to all FIFA tournaments or only those involving European teams.

Infantino responded to the backlash by reiterating that the private equity plan is a proposal, not an obligation. He has faced criticism for the secrecy surrounding the deal, which was revealed on Tuesday. UEFA’s meeting, held on Thursday, was called to address the fallout, with officials from about 40 member federations participating. The body’s statement also noted Infantino’s past role as its general secretary, suggesting a personal dimension to the conflict.

The dispute underscores deepening divisions within global football governance. While Infantino argues the plan would fund development programs, UEFA and other critics view it as a threat to the sport’s integrity. The outcome of the $20 million offer to FIFA members will likely determine whether the boycott takes effect. If accepted, the proposal could reshape the financial and administrative structure of international football, potentially altering the World Cup’s status as a public, non-commercial event.

As the deadline for accepting the offer approaches, the standoff between UEFA and FIFA threatens to escalate further. The next steps will depend on whether Infantino’s proposal is withdrawn or modified to address the concerns of European football authorities. For now, the boycott decision signals a rare and unified resistance to what UEFA describes as an “abandonment of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.”