UEFA MEMBERS AGREE TO BOYCOTT WORLD CUP IF FIFA SELLS STAKES TO INVESTORS

Uefa's 55 member associations have agreed to boycott the World Cup and other major tournaments organised by Fifa should Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes to private investors proceed. Uefa convened an emergency virtual meeting with its members on Thursday to co-ordinate a response to the proposals. The European governing body stated that a World Cup without major European nations would significantly undermine the tournament's standing.

Infantino's plan involves establishing Fifa Forward Enterprises (FFE) to manage commercial rights and secure private investors for minority, non-controlling stakes in the World Cup. The proposal aims to raise up to $4.2bn. Uefa expressed opposition to the 53-day deadline set for member associations to vote on the plan and to the $40m windfall Infantino offered to nations supporting the proposals, characterising both as crossing a line. Uefa's 55 votes are insufficient to block the plan unilaterally under Fifa's governance structure.

Uefa is exploring next steps with the European Union regarding potential competition law breaches and is forming an alliance with other major football stakeholders to oppose the proposals. A World Cup boycott by European nations would represent a substantial challenge to Infantino's strategy, given the commercial and sporting significance of European participation in the tournament. The dispute reflects broader tensions over governance and commercial direction within international football administration.